Springboks coach Peter de Villiers has recalled the heavy artillery for South Africa's Tri Nations return Test against the Wallabies on Saturday week.

After controversially leaving 21 frontline players in South Africa for the Boks' opening two games of the tournament against Australia in Sydney and New Zealand in Wellington, the bulk of those were named on Friday in a new-look 24-man squad.

Among the stars returning are winger Bryan Habana, centre Jean de Villiers, halfback Fourie du Preez and locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

Only nine of the players who travelled to Australasia and suffered back-to-back heavy losses against the Wallabies and All Blacks have been retained, including captain John Smit.

Six players remain on the injured list and unavailable for selection, although three of them will join the squad in Durban to continue their rehabilitation.

"We still have a number of injury concerns but the majority of the players who were in rehabilitation have recovered well and are now available for selection," De Villiers said.

The coach said Schalk Burger (hand), Juan Smith (Achilles) and Willem Alberts (shoulder) would be part of the squad but were not fit enough to be in contention for the match against Australia.

A fourth loose forward, Heinrich Brussow, will be assessed with a view to joining the squad, following his planned appearance for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup on Saturday.

Lock forward Johann Muller remains on the injured list and with Andries Bekker ruled out of the World Cup, Test newcomer Gerhard Mostert was named in the squad.

The 26-year-old made his Test debut against New Zealand a fortnight ago.

"It's very satisfying to see that Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha have now largely overcome their injuries but they still require management as we have a shortage of fit locks at the moment," said de Villiers.

"We also have injury problems among the loose forwards, but I am hopeful that all of the four who are not currently in the playing squad will be ready for selection by the time of the World Cup.

Squad: Gio Aplon, Francois Steyn, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Morne Steyn, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard, Pierre Spies, Jean Deysel, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, John Smit (capt), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde

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