South Africa have recalled 2007 World Cup winners Bakkies Botha, Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen to a 32-man squad for Tests in Wales, Scotland and France next month.
Botha's inclusion in Monday's squad was the big surprise after the veteran lock left South Africa following the 2011 World Cup to play for French club Toulon and had apparently called time on his international career after 76 Tests.
Fourie also last represented South Africa at the World Cup in New Zealand.
He has been playing in Japan, as has Pietersen, who has not represented the Boks this year.
Along with the returning World Cup winners, coach Heyneke Meyer named hooker Scarra Ntubeni as one of four uncapped players alongside prop Frans Malherbe, lock Pieter-Steph du Toit and scrumhalf Louis Schreuder.
South Africa play Wales on November 9, Scotland on November 16 and France a week later.
Squad:
Forwards: (17): Willem Alberts, Bakkies Botha, Marcell Coetzee, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Tendai Mtawarira, Scarra Ntubeni, Coenie Oosthuizen, Gurthr Steenkamp, Adriaan Strauss, Flip van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen
Backs: (15): Gio Aplon, Jean de Villiers (capt), Fourie du Preez, JJ Engelbrecht, Jaque Fourie, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Zane Kirchner, Pat Lambie, Willie le Roux, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Louis Schreuder, Jan Serfontein, Morn Steyn
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