4 Aug 2013

Sprinboks recall du Preez

9:01 am on 4 August 2013

South Africa has recalled scrum-half Fourie du Preez for a Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on August 17 in Soweto.

The Japan-based veteran last played for the Springboks in an 11-9 defeat by Australia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Du Preez then moved from the Northern Bulls to Suntory Sungoliath and a variety of other scrum-halves wore the number nine green-and-gold jersey.

Among those was former Bulls teammate Francois Hougaard, who appeared to be the heir apparent to the 2007 World Cup winner.

But injuries and erratic form meant Hougaard failed to cement a starting place and he is unavailable for the Argentina Test.

Du Preez will contest the scrum-half slot with two other 'exiles,' France-based Jano Vermaak and Ruan Pienaar from Irish province Ulster.

He will also be available for the home Tests against Australia and title-holders New Zealand, but not the three away matches.

Backs: Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn, Jano Vermaak, Jean de Villiers (capt)

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Juandre Kruger, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Duane Vermeulen