Scotland head coach Andy Robinson has selected a near full-strength side for the World Cup opener against Romania in Invercargill on Saturday.
South Africa are effectively resigned to being without lock Bakkies Botha for Sunday's World Cup opener against Wales.
Wales prop Adam Jones has insisted heroic failures against World Cup rivals South Africa are no longer acceptable.
Full-back Chris Paterson insists Scotland have to deliver when they face Romania in Saturday's World Cup opener in Invercargill.
Cian Healy has been ruled out of Ireland's World Cup opener against the USA in New Plymouth on Sunday.
South African enforcer Bakkies Botha is unlikely to feature in the Springboks' opening match of the World Cup against Wales on Sunday, according to assistant coach Dick Muir.
Romania will have six changes from the team that beat Ukraine 41-16 last month, when they take on Scotland in a World Cup Pool B opener at Invercargill on Saturday.
Japan pledged on Thursday to unleash an all-new "Japanese style" to rival France's "champagne rugby" at the World Cup, as they announced a strong line-up to face the European heavyweights this weekend.
Fiji on Thursday named former soldier Leone Nakarawa in their World Cup team to face Namibia, after he was at the centre of a visa row targeting the country's military government.
Chris Paterson will become the first Scottish player to appear at four World Cup tournaments after he was named to face Romania in Invercargill on Saturday.
Delon Armitage will start a Test on the wing for the first time, after Mark Cueto was ruled out of England's World Cup opener against Argentina in Dunedin on Saturday through injury.
On the eve of kick-off at Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand, the teams and fans around the world are eagerly anticipating the opening match between Tonga and New Zealand at Eden Park and the Gilbert Virtuo match balls will be used in all matches and training throughout the Tournament.
New Zealand will have the burden of the entire country to carry in search of victory at the Rugby World Cup, RWC upsets, last hurrah for Irish icons and more in What the Papers Say.
Blue Bulls coach Pine Pienaar feels his team does not have a discipline problem, but they just need to "adjust quicker" to referees.
England's World Cup campaign was dealt another crippling injury blow, with reports that veteran wing Mark Cueto has been ruled out of their tournament opener.
