Not all are with South African teams, with Ulster Rugby, Racing 92, Munster Rugby, Leicester Tigers and Harlequins all boasting players - in addition to DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls.

Vodacom Bulls, who have been drawn in Pool 1 of the Champions Cup, and Pool 4 team DHL Stormers both provide four players, with the majority among the backs.

As well as back-row forward Marco van Staden, Vodacom Bulls have wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie, plus full-back Willie le Roux in the 33, while the four DHL Stormers heading to France are prop Frans Malherbe, back-row forward Deon Fourie, plus fly-halves Manie Libbok and Damian Willemse.

The squad is skippered by Racing 92 flanker Siya Kolisi, who will be joined by clubmate and prop Trevor Nyakane in South Africa’s title defence.

The three Irish-based Springboks are Ulster prop Steven Kitshoff and Munster locks Jean Kleyn and RG Snyman, while the two domiciled in England are Leicester No.8 Jasper Wiese and Harlequins centre Andre Esterhuizen.

Players who are set to feature in next season’s Champions Cup dominate South Africa’s World Cup squad, with nearly half of the 33-strong panel representing clubs in EPCR’s elite competition.