South Africa have recalled scrum-half Fourie du Preez for a Rugby Championship Test against Argentina on August 17 in Soweto.
The Japan-based veteran last played for the Springboks in an 11-9 defeat by Australia in the 2011 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Du Preez then moved from Northern Bulls to Suntory Sungoliath and a variety of other scrum-halves wore the No.9 green-and-gold jersey.
Among those was former Bulls teammate Francois Hougaard, who appeared to be the heir apparent to the 2007 World Cup winner.
But injuries and erratic form meant Hougaard failed to cement a starting place and he is unavailable for the Argentina Test.
Du Preez will contest the scrum-half slot with two other ‘exiles’ — France-based Jano Vermaak and Ruan Pienaar from Irish province Ulster.
He will also be available for the home Tests against Australia and title-holders New Zealand, but not the three away matches.
Piet van Zyl, who recently joined the Bulls from the Cheetahs, will take his place for the August visit to South America and September trip to Australasia.
“Fourie has been out of international rugby for a while and it makes sense to involve him as soon as possible,” said Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer.
“Piet was part of the squad for the June Tests and we know what he can do — he will slot in without any problems.”
Fourie is among three stars included in the 30-man squad who did not feature in a June four-nation tournament won at home by South Africa.
The others are France-based loose-head prop Gurthro Steenkamp and fit-again Western Stormers No. 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Vermeulen is a welcome returnee as his ball carrying and physicality were missed in mid-year wins over Italy, Scotland and Samoa.
He seems sure to start against Los Pumas at Soccer City stadium while Steenkamp challenges incumbent Tendai Mtawarira.
Squad
Backs: Bjorn Basson, JJ Engelbrecht, Bryan Habana, Juan de Jongh, Zane Kirchner, Patrick Lambie, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Willie le Roux, Jan Serfontein, Morne Steyn, Jano Vermaak, Jean de Villiers (capt)
Forwards: Willem Alberts, Marcell Coetzee, Eben Etzebeth, Siya Kolisi, Juandre Kruger, Francois Louw, Flip van der Merwe, Franco van der Merwe, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Coenie Oosthuizen, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Adriaan Strauss, Gurthro Steenkamp, Duane Vermeulen
