Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has recalled the heavy artillery for
South Africa’s Tri Nations return Test against the Wallabies on Saturday
week.
After controversially leaving 21 frontline players in
South Africa for the Boks’ opening two games of the tournament against
Australia in Sydney and New Zealand in Wellington, the bulk of those
were named on Friday in a new-look 24-man squad.
Among the stars
returning are winger Bryan Habana, centre Jean de Villiers, halfback
Fourie du Preez and locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Only
nine of the players who travelled to Australasia and suffered
back-to-back heavy losses against the Wallabies and All Blacks have been
retained, including captain John Smit.
Six players remain on the
injured list and unavailable for selection, although three of them will
join the squad in Durban to continue their rehabilitation.
“We
still have a number of injury concerns but the majority of the players
who were in rehabilitation have recovered well and are now available for
selection,” De Villiers said.
The coach said Schalk Burger
(hand), Juan Smith (Achilles) and Willem Alberts (shoulder) would be
part of the squad but were not fit enough to be in contention for the
match against Australia.
A fourth loose forward, Heinrich
Brussow, will be assessed with a view to joining the squad, following
his planned appearance for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup on
Saturday.
Lock forward Johann Muller remains on the injured list
and with Andries Bekker ruled out of the World Cup, Test newcomer
Gerhard Mostert was named in the squad.
The 26-year-old made his Test debut against New Zealand a fortnight ago.
“It’s
very satisfying to see that Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha have now
largely overcome their injuries but they still require management as we
have a shortage of fit locks at the moment,” said de Villiers.
“We
also have injury problems among the loose forwards, but I am hopeful
that all of the four who are not currently in the playing squad will be
ready for selection by the time of the World Cup.