Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a 35-man squad for his team’s end-of-year internationals against England, France, Scotland and finally, Warren Gatland’s Wales.
And the former Munster supremo is able to select some big names after they returned from injury lay-offs or club commitments.
South Africa had a decent Rugby Championship campaign, claiming a famous win over back-to-back world champions and No 1 side New Zealand.
Trevor Nyakane and Lood de Jager are both back after long injury absences while Duane Vermeulen, Franco Mostert, Willie le Roux and Francois Louw have all been released by their clubs.
Gio Aplon returns to the squad having not played for the Springboks since 2012.
One significant absentee for the Springboks will be Sale scrum-half Faf de Klerk. Currie Cup winning captain Louis Schreuder has been called up to replace him.
There are also three new faces from Currie Cup finalists Western Province in Ruhan Nel, JD Schickerling and Sergeal Petersen.
One man of note who will be missing is loosehead prop and front row legend Tendai Mtawarira.
“Everybody fits in. If you play really well, you’re hungry, you’re desperate to play for the Springboks and you’re in form in your side, then everybody is in the mix,” Erasmus said.
“Obviously I have to get permission and prove why it is we need overseas-based players over South African-based players.
“Is it tactically? The lack of depth? Experience? All of those things I have to justify every single time before we make a team selection. I’m following everybody closely.
“Frans Steyn, Bismarck du Plessis and Pat Lambie come back in February. I’m in contact with those guys and if they’re good enough, we will consider them.”
Wales have a good recent record against South Africa, winning the last three matches between the two sides.
The last time they met was in Washington DC in June when Gatland’s side triumphed 22-20 at the RFK Stadium.
Scarlets hooker Ryan Elias came up with the late, match-winning try that day but the South African team Wales will face in a few weeks will be very different and much stronger than the one which ran out on American soil.
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD TO FACE WALES:
FORWARDS: Warren Whiteley, Duane Vermeulen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Francois Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Lood de Jager, RG Snyman, JD Schickerling, Eben Etzebeth, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe, Trevor Nyakane, Schalk Brits, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi
BACKS: Willie le Roux, Gio Aplon, Damian Willemse, Sergeal Petersen, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Ruhan Nel, Damian de Allende, Andre Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard, Elton Jantjies, Embrose Papier, Ivan van Zyl, Louis Schreuder
