Overview
- Stormers tighthead Zachary Porthen is the only uncapped pick, with Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Jean Kleyn returning from injury and Ben-Jason Dixon, Johan Grobbelaar and Gerhard Steenekamp back for their first appearances of the year.
- Hooker Bongi Mbonambi is relegated to a 10-player standby group, while veteran fullback Willie le Roux is omitted entirely; media also report that Faf de Klerk and Vincent Koch were not selected.
- The standby list features uncapped Juarno Augustus and Sebastian de Klerk alongside experienced options Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi.
- South Africa will play Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales on consecutive Saturdays from 1 to 29 November.
- Captain Siya Kolisi sits on 98 caps and could reach 100 during the tour, and fresh fitness concerns were reported for standby No.8 Juarno Augustus (arm) and lock RG Snyman (hip).