The South African Rugby Union have tied down their core playing group for this year and also revealed they have re-signed World Cup-winning wing JP Pietersen for 2015.
Their list of 17 contracted Springbok players for this year has been confirmed and Cheetahs utility back Willie le Roux, who burst on the scene in 2013, and Sharks back Pat Lambie are the two most notable additions to the 10 contracted players who were announced in 2013.
The others are loose-forward Marcell Coetzee, centre JJ Engelbrecht, halfback Francois Hougaard, prop Coenie Oosthuizen and lock Flip van der Merwe.
In addition, experienced Sharks wing Pietersen has already committed his future in South Africa by signing a national contract for 2015.
The South African Rugby Union chief executive Jurie Roux says he's pleased they've been able to conclude the contracting of a core Springbok group so early in the year.
Players previously contracted: Willem Alberts (loose forward), Jean de Villiers (centre), Bismarck du Plessis (hooker), Jannie du Plessis (prop), Eben Etzebeth (lock), Siya Kolisi (loose forward), Tendai Mtawarira (prop), Frans Steyn (utility back), Adriaan Strauss (hooker) and Duane Vermeulen (No.8).
