Tana Umaga and Jonah Lomu have been reinstated to the New Zealand squad for Saturday’s Tri-Nations rugby union match against South Africa, team officials said on Monday.
Both were dropped from the side that beat Australia 12-6 in Christchurch last Saturday. Lomu underwent a physical fitness check in Christchurch and Umaga played a game for his Petone club in Wellington.
They return to the test 22 from which backs Daryl Gibson and Ben Blair and lock Royce Willis drop out this week.
Willis had covered for Norm Maxwell, who is back in the squad after being out of the match against Australia because of a strained hamstring.
Loose forwards Taine Randell (calf) and Marty Holah (knee) and fullback Leon MacDonald (concussion) remain sidelined with injuries.
Umaga and Lomu will likely rejoin their Wellington Hurricanes teammate Christian Cullen in Saturday’s starting team on their home ground, WestpacTrust Stadium.
The test team will be named either Tuesday night or Wednesday.
Meanwhile, South Africa, based in Brisbane for the team’s away matches against New Zealand and Australia, will arrive in Wellington on Thursday.
They will return to Brisbane on Sunday to prepare for the Wallabies match there on July 27.
The New Zealand squad to play South Africa: Christian Cullen, Doug Howlett, Caleb Ralph, Jonah Lomu, Mark Robinson, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Byron Kelleher, Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Sam Broomhall, Reuben Thorne
(captain), Simon Maling, Norm Maxwell, Chris Jack, Greg Somerville, Dave Hewett, Mark Hammett, Joe McDonnell, Tom Willis. – Sapa-AP