Boks call up trio

Du Preez: injury absence

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South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has added Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie and Jongi Nowke to his squad for the Mandela Tribute Test against Argentina.

Scrum-half Du Preez and centre Fourie, both members of last year's World Cup-winning team, return to the 30-man squad after missing the Springboks' previous six Tests due to injury.

De Villiers has also called up Free State Cheetahs wing Nokwe, a member of the initial expanded training squad.

Hooker Bismarck du Plessis, suspended for three weeks for carelessly making contact with an opponent's face in the July 12 victory over New Zealand, returns in place of Schalk Brits, who failed to impress in the defeat to Australia a week later. Scrum-half Bolla Conradie has also been overlooked.

The Springboks assemble on Wednesday in Pretoria where they will stay until Sunday, before transferring to Johannesburg to continue their preparations for the Mandela Tribute Test against the Pumas on August 9.

Meanwhile, hooker and captain John Smit, was not considered due to injury and will continue with his rehabilitation under the supervision of the Springbok medical and conditioning staff.

Springbok squad for the Mandela Tribute Test and Tri-Nations:

Backs: Adrian Jacobs (The Sharks), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Butch James (The Sharks), Conrad Jantjes (Western Province), Enrico Januarie (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Francois Steyn (The Sharks), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Jongi Nokwe (Free State Cheetahs), JP Pietersen (The Sharks), Odwa Ndungane (The Sharks), Percy Montgomery (Western Province), Peter Grant (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (The Sharks).
Forwards: Adriaan Strauss (Free State Cheetahs), Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Bismarck du Plessis (The Sharks), Brian Mujati (Western Province), CJ van der Linde (Free State Cheetahs), Gurthrö Steenkamp (Blue Bulls), Joe van Niekerk (Lions), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Luke Watson (Western Province), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls), Ryan Kankowski (The Sharks), Schalk Burger (Western Province), Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls).