Springboks name squad

PETER DE VILLIERS yesterday named two uncapped players in the South Africa squad to face the Lions in a three-match Test series to be played in late June and early July.

Earl Rose and Morne Steyn are the only two new faces in the 28-man squad, which will be led by veteran captain John Smit.

Full-back Rose was part of the Springbok squad that toured Europe at the end of last year, while Bulls fly-half Steyn earns his place after an outstanding 2009 Super 14 campaign in which he helped his franchise lift the title on Saturday.

The group also includes Sharks prop Deon Carstens and Bulls centre Wynand Olivier, both of whom last played for the national team in 2007.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD: Backs: J de Villiers (Stormers), F du Preez (Bulls), J Fourie (Lions), B Habana (Bulls), A Jacobs (Sharks), E Januarie (Stormers), O Ndungane (Sharks), J Nokwe (Cheetahs), W Olivier (Bulls), R Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), E Rose (Lions), F Steyn (Sharks), M Steyn (Bulls).

Forwards: J Smit (Sharks), V Matfield (Bulls), A Bekker (Stormers), B Botha (Bulls), S Burger (Stormers), D Carstens (Sharks), B du Plessis (Sharks), R Kankowski (Sharks), T Mtawarira (Sharks), C Ralepelle (Bulls), D Rossouw (Bulls), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls), G Steenkamp (Bulls).