Eben Etzebeth has been included in the Springboks’ 35-man squad for the Rugby Championship, along with three uncapped players.
Etzebeth sustained a shoulder injury against Wales last November that ruled him out of the June Tests against Wales and England.
The Lions quartet of Malcolm Marx, Warren Whiteley, Ross Cronjé and Lionel Mapoe are also back in the Bok fold for the first time this season, along with Bath flank Francois Louw.
The three uncapped players are flyhalf Damian Willemse and loose forwards Marco van Staden and Cyle Brink.
Siya Kolisi has retained the captaincy.
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Players who were not considered because of injury include Damian de Allende, Warrick Gelant, Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen and Sbu Nkosi, while Duane Vermeulen is not available for the Rugby Championship due to his Japan club commitments.
‘Eben and Warren have been out of the Bok mix for a while because of injury so it’s very pleasing to have them back in the squad, while Malcolm has regained his good form with the Lions since recovering from his injury,’ said Erasmus, who added that the participation of Brink and Jean-Luc du Preez is dependent on medical examinations.
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‘We saw the benefit and impact of Willie le Roux and Faf de Klerk in the squad during the June internationals and I want Flo [Louw] to perform a similar role for us.
‘It is also pleasing to again add some young players who have been showing good form and consistency for their franchise teams during Super Rugby.’
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Springbok squad:
Forwards – Cyle Brink, Jean-Luc du Preez, Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (c), Francois Louw, Wilco Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Marvin Orie, RG Snyman, Akker van der Merwe, Marco van Staden, Warren Whiteley.
Backs – Lukhanyo Am, Ross Cronjé, Faf de Klerk, Aphiwe Dyantyi, André Esterhuizen, Elton Janjies, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Lionel Mapoe, Lwazi Mvovo, Embrose Papier, Handré Pollard Ivan van Zyl, Damian Willemse.
Photo: Manuel Blondeau/Icon Sport via Getty Images
