Suspended South Africa loose forward Schalk Burger has been included in a 27-man squad for the away leg of the Tri-Nations tournament.

Flanker Burger is serving an eight-week ban for eye-gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald a minute into the second Test last June.

His suspension ends before Tri-Nations pacesetters South Africa confront Australia in Perth on August 29 and the teams clash again one week later in Brisbane.

Seeking a third southern hemisphere title in 14 attempts, the reigning world champions complete the Australasia tour against New Zealand on September 12 in Hamilton.

Long considered an automatic selection for the green and gold, Burger will face stiff competition for a starting place from Heinrich Brussow, the dynamic Free State Cheetahs flanker.

Brussow has been a revelation in two home victories over the All Blacks and one against the Wallabies this season, proving more than a match for illustrious rivals like Richie McCaw and George Smith.

Also added to the 22-man squad that defeated Australia 29-17 in Cape Town Saturday are wing Odwa Ndungane, centre Wynand Olivier, prop Gurthro Steenkamp and number eight Ryan Kankowski.

Squad

Backs: Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Fourie du Preez, Francois Steyn, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers

Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp

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