Wimpie van der Walt, Grant Hattingh and Lappies Labuschagné have all been included in a 20-man Japan training squad for the World Cup.

Van der Walt has already won nine caps for Japan, having made his Test debut for the Brave Blossoms against the Wallabies in 2017.

However, former Vodacom Bulls forwards Hattingh and Labuschagné, who both made their Sunwolves debuts last year, will be eligible for selection later this year.

These three players are unlikely to feature in the Sunwolves’ opening Vodacom Super Rugby matches against the Sharks, Waratahs, Chiefs and Blues.

Photo: EPA/Kyoshi Ota