Duhan van der Merwe leads a strong contingent of South African-born players named in Scotland’s 33-player squad for the World Cup.
Gregor Townsend on Wednesday named the 33-player squad comprising 19 forwards and 14 backs for a Pool B campaign that will see Scotland face South Africa, Tonga, Romania and Ireland.
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There are four South African-born players in the squad, who could all face the Springboks in their World Cup opener in Marseille on 10 September.
Take it away, Mr Butler 🏴#AsOne | @rugbyworldcup | #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/WdM7TUDsAh
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 16, 2023
Props WP Nel and Pierre Schoeman have been joined by wings Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn in the squad.
Captain Jamie Ritchie is one of 15 Scotland players to have appeared at a previous Rugby World Cup, with second rows Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist, tighthead prop Nel, as well as flyhalf Finn Russell, all set for a third tournament experience.
Loose forward Jack Dempsey represented the Wallabies in Japan four years ago.
The others to have featured at a World Cup, all in 2019, include forwards Zander Fagerson, (tighthead prop), George Turner (hooker), Scott Cummings (second row) and Hamish Watson (flanker); and backs Darcy Graham (wing), Chris Harris (centre), Blair Kinghorn (full-back), George Horne and Ali Price (both scrumhalf).
Your Scotland squad for Rugby World Cup 2023 🏴
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— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) August 16, 2023
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