Aplon and Louw handed debuts by South Africa

WORLD champions South Africa have named five uncapped players and six Europe-based internationals in their 22-man squad for the one-off test against Wales in Cardiff on 5 June.

Stormers pair Gio Aplon and Francois Louw will make their international debuts, while three uncapped players – Cheetahs wing Bjorn Basson, Sharks lock Alistair Hargreaves and Stormers centre Juan de Jongh – are on the bench.

Francois Steyn, Jean de Villiers, Butch James, Joe van Niekerk, BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde – who all play in Europe – will start in the game to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Millennium Stadium.

The 2007 World Cup-winning fly-half James and Van Niekerk were handed surprise recalls after last representing South Africa in 2008.

Captain John Smit will earn his 94th cap at hooker in the Springboks' first international of the season.

Six of the 22 play for the Bulls or the Stormers, who meet in the all-South African Super 14 final on May 29 – just a week before the Wales game.

However, some of South Africa's biggest names, including lock and regular vice-captain Victor Matfield, flanker Schalk Burger, No. 8 Pierre Spies, and Bulls halfback pair Fourie du Preez and Morne Steyn have been left out.

South Africa, preparing for their Tri-Nations defence, follow the Cardiff trip with a Test against France and two Tests against Italy in South Africa in June.

Squad: F Steyn (Racing Metro), G Aplon (Stormers), J de Villiers (Munster), B James (Bath), O Ndungane (Sharks), R Pienaar (Sharks), R Januarie (Stormers); CJ van der Linde (Leinster), J Smith (capt, Sharks), BJ Botha (Ulster), D Rossouw (Bulls), A Bekker (Stormers), F Louw (Stormers), D Potgieter (Bulls), J van Niekerk (Toulon). Replacements: C Ralepelle (Bulls), J du Plessis (Sharks), A Hargreaves (Sharks), R Kankowski (Sharks), M Bosman (Vodacom Cheetahs), J de Jongh (Stormers), B Basson (Cheetahs)