Flyhalf Butch James, who missed Saturday’s victory over Wales after being withdrawn over a contractual dispute, has been included in the Springbok squad for the one-off Test against France in Cape Town on Saturday.
Premier Rugby, the umbrella organisation for English Premiership clubs, blocked Bath James’s selection against Wales because the match fell outside the International Rugby Board Test window.
South Africa’s squad includes 17 players from the match 22 that beat Wales 34-31 in Cardiff, with Bulls lock Flip van der Merwe the only uncapped player.
Van der Merwe’s team mate, scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, was omitted after electing to undergo surgery for an injured shoulder.
Those recalled include World Cup winners Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana, Pierre Spies, Jean de Villiers and Bakkies Botha.
“Fourie is very important to us but so is his welfare and the time is right for him to sort this injury out,” said coach Peter de Villiers. “We will miss him but it is important that he is available and fit at the World Cup next year.”
The match 22 will be named on Tuesday.
Squad: Bjorn Basson, BJ Botha, Bakkies Botha, Schalk Burger, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Jannie du Plessis, Jaque Fourie, Gio Aplon, Bryan Habana, Alistair Hargreaves, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Ryan Kankowski, Zane Kirchner, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Dewald Potgieter, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, Morne Steyn, Flip van der Merwe. — Reuters