Boks turn to du Plessis

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has added Jannie du Plessis to his squad for the Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand.

Sharks prop recalled for Tri-Nations clash

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has added Jannie du Plessis to his squad for the Tri-Nations clash against New Zealand at Vodacom Park in Bloemfontein on July 25. De Villiers has kept faith with 22 of the players who took part in the 2-1 series win over the British and Irish Lions. But Sharks prop du Plessis returns to the national set-up after last playing for the Springboks against England at the end of 2008. The convenor of the selectors Peter Jooste said: "Jannie has been a part of the Springbok squad since 2007 and still has much to offer. "He was unfortunate to miss out on selection for the Lions series but now gets an opportunity in the Tri-Nations." Bakkies Botha also returns to the set-up after serving his two-week suspension, with Jooste insisting it was important to maintain consistency in selection. "We have stuck with the core of the players who took part in the Lions series, most of whom have been in the larger Springbok training squad over the past 12 months," said Jooste. "We have also tried to ensure that the combinations that featured in the first two Lions Tests are kept intact to ensure consistency and familiarity." Springbok squad - Forwards: Andries Bekker (Western Province), Bakkies Botha (Blue Bulls), Heinrich Brüssow (Free State Cheetahs), Bismarck du Plessis (Sharks), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Victor Matfield (Blue Bulls), Tendai Mtawarira (Sharks), Chiliboy Ralepelle (Blue Bulls), Danie Rossouw (Blue Bulls), John Smit (Sharks), Juan Smith (Free State Cheetahs), Pierre Spies (Blue Bulls).
Backs: Jean de Villiers (Western Province), Fourie du Preez (Blue Bulls), Jaque Fourie (Lions), Bryan Habana (Blue Bulls), Adi Jacobs (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Western Province), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), Frans Steyn (Sharks), Morné Steyn (Blue Bulls).