Seven South Africans selected for World XV

The World XV will take on Japan in Osaka on Friday, with five South Africans in the starting lineup and two more on the bench.

Recently retired former Springbok captain Adriaan Strauss starts among fellow South Africans Harold Voster (Lions centre), Lionel Cronje (Toyota Verblitz flyhalf), Jason Jenkins (Bulls lock) and Hencus Van Wyk (Sunwolves prop).

The other two South Aricans, who take up spots on the bench, are Sunwolves loose forward Willie Britz and Lions prop Corne Fourie.

Stuff.co.nz reports that there could ask be a strong New Zealand element, with Nehe Milner Skudder to potentially start at fullback and be joined by All Black squad members Jackson Hempo and Dillon Hunt.

Blues returnee and All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu will start at 12, with Wyatt Crockett selected on the bench. The side will ultimately be captained by former All Black scrum half Andy Ellis. Ellis captained the World XV to a 47-27 win over the Blossoms last year, and his side will be looking for a third win over Japan, having beaten them too in 2015.

Skudder will be joined by fellow New Zealanders in the back three, with Tevita Li and Toni Pulu the starting wings while Ricky Riccitelli and Augustine Pulu have been included on the bench.

World XV (Via Sport24)

15 Nehe Milner Skudder (Hurricanes), 14 Toni Pulu (Chiefs), 13 Harold Vorster (Lions/Panasonic), 12 Ma’a Nonu (Blues, New Zealand), 11  Tevita Li (Highlanders), 10 Lionel Cronje (Toyota), 9 Andrew Ellis (Kobe, captain), 8 Leonardo Senatore (Jaguares), 7 Dillon Hunt (Highlanders), 6 Jackson Hemopo (Highlanders), 5 Jason Jenkins (Bulls/Toyota), 4 Sam Carter (Brumbies), 3 Hencus van Wyk (Sunwolves/Sanix), 2 Adriaan Strauss (Bulls), 1 Craig Millar (Sunwolves/Panasonic)

Substitutes: Ricky Riccitelli (Hurricanes), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Ben Gunter (Panasonic), Willie Britz (Sunwolves/NTT), Augustine Pulu (Hino/Blues), Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias (Jaguares), Keisuke Moriya (Panasonic), Nili Latu (Hino), Corne Fourie (Lions/Panasonic)