Springboks rugby coach Peter de Villiers has surprised absolutely no one by recalling 15 frontline players for next weekend's home Tri Nations Test against the Wallabies.
Most of the 21 frontline players who controversially remained in South Africa for the Springboks' opening two games of the tournament return in a new-look 24-man squad for Sunday's Test in Durban.
South Africa World Cup winners Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez and Francois Steyn are among 15 players recalled as the Boks look to avenge heavy defeats in Australia and New Zealand.
Springboks coach Peter de Villiers is hoping the return of wing Habana, halfback Du Preez, utility back Steyn plus locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield will produce better results although six players are still on the injured list, including flankers Schalk Burger, Juan Smith and Willem Alberts.
Only six players have been retained from the squad that travelled to Australia and New Zealand, including captain John Smit and first five Morne Steyn. There's no room for Patrick Lambie in the No.10 jersey.
The Boks take on the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth on August 21st NZT.
Backs - Gio Aplon, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (all Western Province), Francois Steyn (Racing Metro), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Morne Steyn (all Bulls), Butch James (Lions), Ruan Pienaar (Ulster)
Forwards - Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp (all Bulls), John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Jean Deysel (all Sharks), Gerhard Mostert (Stade Francais), CJ van der Linde (Lions)
