Scrumhalves Ruben de Haas and Shaun Davies and flank Hanco Germishuys have all been included in the USA’s 31-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in Japan.

Germishuys was born in Kimberley and relocated to the USA in 2004, finishing his schooling in Nebraska.

The 24-year-old flank played club rugby for the Glendale Merlins before joining the Austin Elite in the newly formed Major League Rugby. He made his debut for the Eagles in 2016 and has won 16 Test caps.

Davies was born in Durban and attended Westville Boys’ High. The 30-year-old currently plays for the Glendale Raptors in the MLR.

Cheetahs scrumhalf De Haas has also been included in the final squad. The 20-year-old scrumhalf only made his USA debut last year but has since played 13 Tests, scoring five tries. De Haas also played for CUT in the Varsity Cup.

Former Cardiff Blues and Leicester Tigers back Blaine Scully will captain the squad, which includes Western Force centre and former Stormers back Marcel Brache.

The USA are coached by Gary Gold and have former Springbok Jaque Fourie assisting the team as a defence coach.

USA World Cup squad:

Forwards – David Ainu’u, Malon Al-Jiboori, Nate Brakeley, Nick Civetta, Cam Dolan, Dylan Fawsitt, Eric Fry, Hanco Germishuys, James Hilterbrand, Olive Kilifi, Tony Lamborn, Titi Lamositele, Ben Landry, Paul Mullen, Gregory Peterson, Ben Pinkelman, John Quill, Joseph Taufete’e.

Backs – Blaine Scully (c), Nate Augspurger, Marcel Brache, Bryce Campbell, Shaun Davies, Ruben De Haas, Will Hooley, Martin Iosefo, Paul Lasike, AJ MacGinty, Will Magie, Thretton Palamo, Mike Te’o.

Photo: Desire Fornell Miller