Injured Kolisi included in South Africa World Cup squad while Pollard and Am is out because of injury

South Africa captain Siya Kolisi has been included in the squad for next month's Rugby World Cup, but other key players have been left out because of injury, including influential first-five Handre Pollard and World Cup-winning centre Lukhanyo Am.

Kolisi had a major knee surgery in April, but South Africa are confident that he will be fit in time for their first pool game against Scotland at Marseille on September 11th.

There are 12 World Cup debutants, but the 'Boks have kept the bulk of the side that won the tournament in Japan four years ago.

Am, who twisted his knee in a warm-up test against Argentina on Sunday, and Pollard, who has a long-running calf injury, were among the notable omissions, when the squad was announced.

The defending champions are pooled with Ireland, Scotland, Tonga and Romania in the World Cup that will be held from September 8th to October 28th in France.

South Africa World Cup squad:

Backs: Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Faf de Klerk, Andre Esterhuizen, Jaden Hendrikse, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi, Canan Moodie, Cobus Reinach, Damian Willemse, Grant Williams

Forwards: Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Deon Fourie, Steven Kitshoff, Jean Kleyn, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Ox Nche, Trevor Nyakane, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese

Source: Newshub