A 31-man South African Rugby World Cup squad has been selected for the global showpiece that gets underway in Japan next month. Ahead of their opening clash with New Zealand, coach Rassie Erasmus has tapped Siya Kolisi to lead the South Africans in their attempt to recapture the Webb Ellis trophy. CGTN's Sias du Plessis has more.

There is optimism around the South African national team ahead of the 9th edition of the Rugby World Cup, the men in green and gold are unbeaten in 2019 and have become a formidable force under coach Rassie Erasmus who has rewarded form and consistency with selection.

BRENDEN NEL RUGBY WRITER "We got exactly what we expected and that is probably a compliment to Rassie Erasmus in the fact that he has been very open, very honest, he's taken the players and the public with him every step of the way, so when it came to this I think it was pretty much everybody knew there was one question was the loose forward, which loose forward would drop out and we got that answer today, otherwise the strongest squad that he could take to Japan."

The Springbok captain is under no illusions ahead of the tournament and is aware that his team carries the hopes of the rainbow nation, but he feels no additional pressure and is focussing on his performance on the field.

SIYA KOLISI SOUTH AFRICA CAPTAIN "I'm really happy and I'm excited, I am also very nervous I'm not going to lie about it, but I have confidence in my teammates, I have confidence in my teammates that they will support me in a time like this and I know there is a lot of guys who've led before who I can always lean which is something I'm counting on and I am grateful for the fact the coach all he wants me to do is just to play my game and give my best on the field."

Erasmus admits he hasn't been able to pick the vastly experienced players as coaches before him, but believes that within the group there are calm heads that will balance out the youthful exuberance and excitement at the World Cup.

RASSIE ERASMUS SOUTH AFRICA COACH "We're taking a bit of a risk, we won't have all those calm heads, those guys that's been there who has big match temperament, but hopefully it gets made up with the intensity and all the coaching time that we get with them and hopefully that balances that out for us, I really believe the best 31 guys we could have picked."

SIAS DU PLESSIS JOHANNESBURG "The Springbok coach sprung no surprises when he named his 31 man squad, he's picked largely from the same players as when he took over as national coach, he heads into the World Cup with momentum and confidence at an all-time high, the Springboks will go into their first game against the All Blacks backing themselves to get a positive result and from there on who knows what could happen as they challenge for their 3rd global rugby title, Sias du Plessis, CGTN, Johannesburg."