Eben, Marx injuries won't distract 'fully focused' Springboks from Romania game, says Nienaber

Holders South Africa are 'fully focused' on Sunday's meeting with Romania in the Rugby World Cup in spite of injuries to two of their leading players.

The Springboks have had negative news about hooker Malcom Marx and lock Eben Etzebeth this week since opening their tournament with an efficient win over Scotland.

READ | Imposing Bongi ready for heavy lifting in Marx's absence as makeshift deputies stand by

Marx will miss the remainder of their title defence, while Etzebeth is out until the build-up to their third pool match against world number one side Ireland on September 23.

Head coach Nienaber said Marx's tournament-ending knee injury had not had an impact on preparations for the Romania game in Bordeaux.

"When the injury happened it didn't affect our team going into this match at all," Nienaber said this week.

"We're fully focused on Romania because we should show them that respect. It's only the second time we've played them in a World Cup so it's a special game for us.

"We should also show that respect to the players that we selected to play in that match.

"So we're not talking about anything other than Romania," he added.

Nienaber has made wholesale changes to face the 19th ranked side in the world known as The Oaks.

He has named four scrumhalves in his matchday squad with Grant Williams on the wing and Faf de Klerk covering fly-half on the bench.

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Kwagga Smith, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16  Deon Fourie, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21