World champions South Africa named five uncapped players and six Europe-based internationals in their 22-man squad for the one-off Test against Wales in Cardiff on June 5.

Stormers' pair Gio Aplon and Francois Louw will make their international debuts, after they were named in the starting XV by South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins following Saturday's Super 14 semi-finals.

Three uncapped players - Cheetahs' winger Bjorn Basson, Sharks' lock Alistair Hargreaves and Stormers' centre Juan de Jongh - are on the bench.

Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Joe van Niekerk, BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde - who all play in Europe - will start in the game to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Millennium Stadium.

The 2007 World Cup-winning flyhalf James and Van Niekerk were handed surprise recalls after last representing South Africa in 2008.

"Butch offers versatility in that he can play at flyhalf and he brings a physical edge to the defence, which we will need against Wales," South Africa coach Peter de Villiers said.

"Joe has been one of the top loose forwards in France for the past two seasons and, in our discussions with him recently, he has said he is raring to go."

Captain John Smit was picked at hooker and will earn his 94th cap in the Springboks' first international of the season.

Six of the 22 play for the Bulls or the Stormers, who meet in the all-South African Super 14 final on May 29 - just a week before the Wales game.

"The Welsh are up for this one," de Villiers said. "They have a strong squad with a few young guns who will be eager to prove themselves.

"This team has not played together before, but we are not looking for excuses, we are accepting the challenge and it will be a great occasion."

South Africa have left out some of their biggest stars, including lock and regular vice-captain Victor Matfield, flanker Schalk Burger, No.8 Pierre Spies, and Bulls' halfback pair Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn.

Flying Stormers' wing Bryan Habana and centre Jaque Fourie were also omitted.

The Wales game is the first of four tests for South Africa before they begin their Tri Nations title defence in New Zealand on July 10.

The Springboks also play France and two games against Italy in South Africa in June, during the football World Cup.

South Africa: Francois Steyn (Racing Metro), Gio Aplon (Stormers), Jean de Villiers (Munster), Butch James (Bath), Odwa Ndungane (Sharks), Ruan Pienaar (Sharks), Ricky Januarie (Stormers); CJ van der Linde (Leinster), John Smith (captain, Sharks), BJ Botha (Ulster), Danie Rossouw (Bulls), Andries Bekker (Stormers), Francois Louw (Stormers), Dewald Potgieter (Bulls), Joe van Niekerk (Toulon). Replacements: Chiliboy Ralepelle (Bulls), Jannie du Plessis (Sharks), Alistair Hargreaves (Sharks), Ryan Kankowski (Sharks), Meyer Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs), Juan de Jongh (Stormers), Bjorn Basson (Cheetahs).

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