South Africa coach Peter de Villiers placed his faith in the core of the Springboks' 2007 World Cup-winning team when he announced his 30-man squad for this year's tournament on Tuesday.
De Villiers included 18 members of the 2007 squad while 12 of the players named, including captain John Smit, were in the starting XV when South Africa beat England 15-6 to clinch the title four years ago.
"The squad has a backbone of proven title-winning ability and experience as well as a strong component of new stars," De Villiers said in a statement.
The World Cup in New Zealand starts on 9 September.
De Villiers opted for a 16 forward and 14 backs split in his squad with the team opening their campaign against Wales in Wellington on 11 September.
The Springbok selectors sprang one surprise when they included flanker Francois Louw who has not played for his country in more than a year.
Louw, 26, the former Stormers and Western Province flanker, who recently signed for English club Bath, played the last of his seven tests for South Africa in August 2010 when he turned out against New Zealand in Johannesburg.
Fellow loose forward Schalk Burger was also included despite not having played since breaking his right thumb during the Super Rugby semi-finals on 2 July.
"This squad has the experience and ability to make a strong challenge for the title but we know it will be very difficult," said De Villiers.
"It has been a tough season to date and we have had some challenges with the amount of rugby the players have had to play but I'm very happy with the squad. We are on target with the off-field plans we set in place before the season started."
South Africa, who are in Pool D with Fiji, Namibia, Samoa and Wales, are seeking a third world title after success in 1995 on home soil as well as 2007 in France.
South Africa's 30-man squad for the IRB Rugby World Cup 2011:
Backs: Francois Steyn, Gio Aplon, Patrick Lambie, Bryan Habana, Odwa Ndungane, JP Pietersen, Juan de Jongh, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Ruan Pienaar.
Forwards: Pierre Spies, Willem Alberts, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Johann Muller, Danie Rossouw, Jannie Du Plessis, CJ van der Linde, Bismarck du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, John Smit (captain), Tendai Mtawarira, Guthro Steenkamp.
