The Springbok selectors have added two World Cup winners, Fourie du Preez and Jaque Fourie, to the 30-man Springbok squad for the Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina and the home Tri-Nations matches.
Both Du Preez and Fourie missed the previous six Springbok Tests this year due to injury, but both players have worked their way back to fitness in recent months and have subsequently been selected. There is still a slight question mark over the fitness of centre Fourie, who missed the Lions' last Currie Cup match with a niggle. Free State Cheetahs flyer Jongi Nokwe, who has been in fine form for his Currie Cup team, shifts into contention after being named in the squad. Nokwe was also a member of Peter de Villiers' initial expanded Springbok training squad. Nokwe has cracked the nod ahead of Western Province's Tonderai Chavhanga, who is currently recovering from concussion sustained in a Currie Cup match against the Falcons. There is a spot for Bok flank Schalk Burger in the squad, which will go a long way in easing existing fears about the player's recent neck injury, sustained in South Africa's last Tri-Nations match against Australia. Players to have missed out on selection this time round include Western Province's Schalk Brits and Bolla Conradie. The hooker was flown across to New Zealand as cover for injured Springbok skipper John Smit prior to the second Test against the All Blacks, but has been deemed surplus to requirements for the home Tests. Brits has been overtaken as back-up to Bismarck du Plessis by Free State Cheetahs number two Adriaan Strauss, who also had to fly out as emergency cover after Bismarck du Plessis was suspended. Strauss made a solid Bok debut off the bench in the 9-16 loss to Australia. Scrumhalf Bolla Conradie loses his place in the national squad to Fourie du Preez, who will be pushing Ricky Januarie hard for the number nine jersey. Furthermore, it is interesting to note the absence of Sharks prop BJ Botha from the squad. The Springbok selectors have decided to stick with the same tight forwards that toured Australasia, with hooker Brits, and injured Bok captain John Smit, being the only exceptions. Springbok hooker and captain, John Smit, was not considered due to injury. Smit will continue with his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Springbok medical and conditioning staff. The Boks assemble on Wednesday in Pretoria where they will stay until Sunday, before transferring to Johannesburg to continue with their preparations for the Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina on August 9 in Johannesburg. The Springbok squad for the Mandela Tribute Test and the Tri-Nations: Backs (in alphabetical order according to first names): Adrian Jacobs (Sharks), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Butch James (Sharks), Conrad Jantjes, (Western Province), Enrico Januarie (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Francois Steyn (Sharks), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Jongi Nokwe (Free State Cheetahs), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Percy Montgomery (Western Province), Peter Grant (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks). Forwards: Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Brian Mujati (Western Province), CJ van der Linde (Free State Cheetahs), Gürthro Steenkamp (Blue Bulls), Joe van Niekerk (Lions), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Luke Watson (Western Province), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Schalk Burger (Western Province), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls).365