Five-eighth Handre Pollard is set to make his long-awaited return to the Test arena after being named in South Africa's Rugby Championship squad for matches against the Wallabies and All Blacks.
Pollard is one of three changes to the Springboks' 29-man squad along with scrumhalf Ross Cronje and utility back Dillyn Leyds.
Centre Francois Venter, flyhalf Curwin Bosch and halfback Jano Vermaak have all been dropped ahead of South Africa's next Test against Australia in Perth on September 9.
South Africa lead the Rugby Championship after two wins over Argentina, including a last-start 41-23 victory over the Pumas in Salta last Sunday.
The 23-year-old Pollard is an exciting addition for the Springboks, with his return coming after a wretched run of injuries.
An ankle injury in February sidelined Pollard for the bulk of the Super Rugby season after the Bulls playmaker sat out the entire 2016 campaign after rupturing knee ligaments.
He hasn't played for South Africa since the Rugby World Cup in October when he was first-choice No.10, but has been in camp with the side for the Rugby Championship campaign.
"Handre was really impressive during the two weeks he spent with us in Port Elizabeth," said coach Allister Coetzee.
"Even though he was fit and available for the away match against Argentina in Salta, we made a decision that another week of conditioning will be beneficial for him.
"I believe he is fit and ready to go and he will be utilised in a versatile role, covering centre too."
Coetzee said confidence had returned to the Springboks after consecutive wins against the Pumas but his side knows tougher assignments await.
The Springboks' victory in Salta stretched their winning run in 2017 to five matches.
The wins, which follow a 3-0 Test whitewash against France in June, contrast starkly to last year when the Springboks lost eight of 12 internationals and finished the year in turmoil.
"It's a different beast waiting that side, it's always tough going down to Australia. They are hitting form as well," Coetzee said.
"They made a couple of mistakes in the first game against the All Blacks and were punished for that but you could see how they put New Zealand under pressure in the second Test."
The Springboks conceded just eight penalties in the two Pumas games and Coetzee said his team needed that level of discipline and work rate to prevail against the Wallabies and the All Blacks.
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