Siya Kolisi. (Gallo)
Siya Kolisi retains the captaincy, three star forwards return after injuries and three uncapped players are included Monday in the South African squad for the Rugby Championship.
Flanker Kolisi became the first black Test skipper of the Springboks two months ago and led them to a 2-1 home series victory over England.
Although 2017 captains Warren Whiteley and Eben Etzebeth are back after lengthy injuries, coach Rassie Erasmus kept faith with the leadership of the Western Stormers loose forward.
The recalls of lock Etzebeth, number eight Whiteley and hooker Malcolm Marx, who missed the England Tests through injury, should greatly strengthen the pack for the championship pitting South Africa against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
With Duane Vermeulen unavailable having joined a Japanese club, Golden Lions skipper Whiteley is set to regain his place in the middle of the back row.
Provided Etzebeth proves his fitness having missed the entire Super Rugby season, he should regain the No. 4 shirt filled impressively by newcomer RG Snyman against England.
Marx is widely regarded as the best hooker in the world and his return will see rapidly improving Bongi Mbonambi go back to the bench.
“Eben and Warren have been out of the Springbok mix for a while because of injury so it is very pleasing to have them back in the squad,” said Erasmus.
“Malcolm has regained his good form with the Lions since recovering from his injury,” added the coach who also lost a one-off Test to Wales since his June debut.
Nine of the 35-man squad come from the Lions, who lost the Super Rugby final 37-18 to the Canterbury Crusaders in New Zealand last Saturday.
The uncapped trio are Stormers fly-half Damian Willemse and flankers Cyle Brink of the Lions and Marco van Staden of the Northern Bulls.
South Africa launch their Rugby Championship campaign against Argentina at Kings Park stadium in Indian Ocean port city Durban on August 18.
World champions New Zealand meet Australia on the same day in Sydney in a format which sees each country playing the other three at home and away.
Traditionally, the All Blacks dominate the August-to-October championship, the Wallabies and the Springboks fight for second place and the Pumas finish last.
Squad
Forwards (20)
Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (capt), Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Pieter-Steph du Toit (all Western Stormers), Cyle Brink, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, Warren Whiteley (all Golden Lions), Akker van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit (all Coastal Sharks), RG Snyman, Marco van Staden (both Northern Bulls), Francois louw (Bath/ENG)
Backs (15)
Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Lwazi Mvovo (all Sharks), Ross Cronje, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Elton Janjies, Lionel Mapoe (all Lions), Jesse Kriel, Embrose Papier, Handre Pollard, Ivan van Zyl (all Bulls), Faf de Klerk (Sale Sharks/ENG), Willie le Roux (Wasps/ENG), Damian Willemse (Stormers)
© Agence France-Presse