By Matt Findlay

Despite an appalling Rugby Championship campaign, currently being outside the top three in terms of world rankings and coach Heyneke Meyer producing several interesting selections, South Africa remains among the favourites to take out the 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC).

The Sprinboks are considered morals to advance to at least the final eight, but the omission of back-rowers Heinrich Brussow and Marcell Coetzee, and the inclusion of injured stars Jean De Villiers, Duane Vermeulen, Jannie du Plessis, Fourie du Preez, Willie le Roux, Francois Louw and Coenie Oosthuizen have become fierce debating points.

However, considering the amount of experience in the squad – nine players were a part of the Spingboks’ 2007 RWC triumph – Meyer spoke in defence of said selections, explaining all seven recovering players will be fit come South Africa’s pool B opener against Japan.

“Every single player in our wider group worked incredibly hard and to cut the squad to 31 was probably the most difficult selection I’ve faced in my coaching career,” Meyer said.

“I think the squad has a great balance between youth and experience while keeping together the core of the team that did the country proud in the last few years. We also have a number of players who know what it takes to win a World Cup.”

After opening their campaign against the somewhat-dark-horse Japanese side, the Sprinboks take on Samoa, Scotland and the USA in their bid for a quarter-final spot.

PLAYER TO WATCH – Fourie du Preez (halfback):

Although a predictable inclusion, du Preez’s selection is no less controversial considering the 33-year-old hasn’t played a Test Match since mid-2014 and is battling a knee injury to even be fit for the RWC.

In fact it seems like there’s few Springboks under as much pressure as du Preez.

While he’s all but guaranteed the Springboks’ No.9 jersey should he be fit for South Africa’s opening game against Japan, question marks surround du Preez as an attacking threat.

The fact is, whether du Preez recaptures his best, scintillating, form or not, he will have a huge influence on the Springboks’ campaign.

SQUAD

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Lood de Jager, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Adriaan Strauss, Duane Vermeulen.

Backs: Damian de Allende, Jean de Villiers (captain), Fourie du Preez, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Jesse Kriel, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handré Pollard, Morné Steyn.

FIXTURES:

Saturday, September 15: vs Japan; Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton; 4.45pm

Saturday, September 26: vs Samoa; Villa Park, Birmingham; 4.45pm

Saturday, October 3: vs Scotland; St James Park, Newcastle upon Tyne; 4.45pm

Wednesday, October 7: vs USA; The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London; 4.45pm