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Rugby Championship: South Africa welcome back Victor Matfield and Willem Alberts

Image: Victor Matfield: Fit again

Victor Matfield and Willem Alberts have been recalled to the South Africa squad for the Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

Injuries ruled the pair out of narrow home and away victories over Argentina over the last fortnight.

A statement from the South African Rugby Union said veteran lock Matfield has been declared fit and and flanker Alberts would have a fitness test in Johannesburg on Thursday.

Rugby Europe Sevens, Manchester

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Their return means loose forwards Juan Smith, who played in Argentina last weekend after a 31-month absence, and Warren Whiteley drop out.

Prop Marcel van der Merwe replaces injured Frans Malherbe in the other change to the squad.

South Africa play Australia on September 6 in Perth and current champions New Zealand on September 13 in Wellington.

South Africa squad - Forwards: W Alberts, B Botha, S Brits, M Coetzee, L de Jager, B du Plessis, J du Plessis, E Etzebeth, F Louw, V Matfield, T Mohoje, T Mtawarira, T Nyakane, G Steenkamp, A Strauss, M van der Merwe, D Vermeulen.
Backs: D de Allende, J de Villiers (capt), B Habana, C Hendricks, F Hougaard, P Lambie, W le Roux, L Mvovo, R Pienaar, H Pollard, C Reinach, J Serfontein, M Steyn.

You can watch all the Rugby Championship games live on Sky Sports throughout September

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