Juan de Jongh will make his South Africa debut against Wales on Saturday after World Cup winning five-eighth Butch James was refused permission to play in the Cardiff clash.

James had been due to start at inside centre, but his English club Bath are not obliged to release players for a match that falls outside the recognised International Rugby Board June playing window.

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) had hoped to secure his release but their request was rejected by Premier Rugby.

The ruling has upset SARU, whose president Oregan Hoskins was left further infuriated after Saracens hooker Schalk Brits was allowed by his club to play for the Barbarians this weekend.

"SARU, Bath and Butch were all keen to see Butch play but the rule has been strictly enforced," he said.

"What's particularly frustrating is that Schalk Brits has just played 33 matches for Saracens and can be released to play for the Barbarians against Ireland this weekend, whereas Butch has played barely a dozen matches this season and he can't play against Wales."

Stormers centre De Jongh, who has helped his club reach the Super 14 final, will now line-up alongside Jaque Fourie in midfield after Springbok coach Peter de Villiers finalised his 22 players for the Millennium Stadium fixture.

"This is almost unbelievable, but it's an exciting moment for me too," De Jongh said.

"I feel for Butch, but I must now focus on what the team needs from me on Saturday.

"It's good to be playing with experienced players like Ruan and Jaque and my experience playing with Jaque in the Super 14 will also be a great help."

De Villiers added: "This is a great opportunity for Juan, who has had a fantastic Super 14 season.

"He is a talented player who has held his own in a very tough environment and I have faith in his abilities to make the step up."

De Jongh is one of three uncapped players in the starting XV - the other two are his Stormers team-mates winger Gio Aplon and flanker Francois Louw.

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