South Africa have recalled veteran flanker and 2007 World Cup winner Juan Smith, continuing his remarkable comeback after he retired 18 months ago because of injury.

Smith was drafted into the Springboks’ squad on Wednesday for the Rugby Championship starting later this month.

He played his last test in 2010 and gave up all rugby at the start of the 2013 season because of an Achilles’ tendon injury.

However, Smith recovered from the problem to sign for Toulon in France and won the Heineken Cup and the French league last season.

Normally a flanker, the 33-year-old Smith also covers lock and No.8. He was called in after second-rower and fellow veteran Victor Matfield was ruled out of the game against Argentina on August 16 with a knee problem.