South Africa recall Frans Steyn and Jaque Fourie

Heyneke Meyer: Eight new faces in traniing squad

World Cup winners Frans Steyn and Jaque Fourie have been recalled to an extended Springbok squad for their first five matches of the year.

Utility back Steyn and outside centre Fourie, who won the William Webb Ellis trophy in 2007, quit the national side last year but have made an about-turn and are back in the World Cup plans of coach Heyneke Meyer.

They are part of a squad of 49 players named for the fixtures against a World XV on July 11, the Rugby Championship and the one-off Test against Argentina in Buenos Aires in August.

Among that number are 13 players, Steyn and Fourie included, who are currently injured or in rehabilitation, but will link up with the squad when fit.

Meyer said: "Even though Jaque Fourie announced that he had retired from test rugby late last year, we have had positive talks with him and his club, Kobe in Japan, and an agreement was reached that he will be available for one last season of test rugby.

"As soon as he's back to full fitness, we'll consider him for selection.

"The next five matches, before we finalise the squad for the Rugby World Cup, will be very important as we want to ensure the right 31 players are on the plane to England on September 11."

Meyer has also called up eight uncapped players in hooker Scarra Ntubeni, props Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch, scrum-halves Rudy Paige and Faf de Klerk, lock Franco Mostert, full-back Jesse Kriel and winger Lionel Mapoe.

"This is testament to the great depth we've managed to build in most positions over the last few years," Meyer said.

Squad

Forwards: Willem Alberts, Schalk Brits, Schalk Burger, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Victor Matfield, Heinke van der Merwe, Marcel van der Merwe, Teboho 'Oupa' Mohoje, Francois Mostert, Tendai 'The Beast' Mtawarira, Scarra Ntubeni, Trevor Nyakane, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Adriaan Strauss, Warren Whiteley

Backs: Damian de Allende, Bryan Habana, Cornal Hendricks, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Faf de Klerk, Jesse Kriel, Lwazi Mvovo, Rudy Paige, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux, Morne Steyn

Conditioning squad (injured players): Heinrich Brussow, Jaque Fourie, Lood de Jager, Patrick Lambie, Lionel Mapoe, Coenie Oosthuizen, Fourie du Preez, Cobus Reinach, Jan Serfontein, Francois Steyn, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Jean de Villiers