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Loose forwards Juan Smith and Duane Vermeulen and lock Andries Bekker have been ruled out of the 20-team, quadrennial rugby union showcase in New Zealand.
And fears that full-back Frans Steyn and full-back/centre/fly-half Patrick Lambie could also miss the tournament were dispelled only on the eve of the squad announcement this week.
Flank Schalk Burger will go to the September 9-October 23 tournament having missed the entire Tri-Nations championship due to a dislocated right thumb.
"If there was a Test on Saturday, they would all be available to play other than Patrick Lambie (shoulder) and Francois Steyn (hamstring)," assured De Villiers.
"We will have a full squad to choose from for our first match of the tournament on September 11 against Wales."
Island teams Fiji and Samoa and rank outsiders Namibia are the other Pool D contenders with the top two finishers advancing to the quarter-finals.
South Africa are widely expected to top the table and confront Ireland for a place among the last four in a competition New Zealand are hosting a second time.
Several Springboks sat out training Wednesday as the defending champions began their countdown to the World Cup on a clear, late-winter day at a high school in an elite Johannesburg suburb.
Those watching from the sideline were recovering from bumps and bruises sustained in an 18-5 Tri-Nations Test victory over New Zealand in Port Elizabeth last Saturday.
South Africa have also named 12 stand-by players should any of the 30-strong squad be injured.
The list includes young Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo, widely considered the unluckiest player among those who failed to make the squad.
