Springboks trio back in the fold

SOUTH Africa have recalled full-back Patrick Lambie, wing Lwazi Mvovo and hooker Chiliboy Ralepelle to their squad for next Saturday's Tri-Nations test against New Zealand in Port Elizabeth.

The trio were dropped after the Springboks' unsuccessful away leg of the competition but were added to the squad yesterday following the 14-9 defeat by Australia on Saturday.

Lambie, the 20-year-old Sharks playmaker who has already played in six tests, has an excellent chance of being included in the match day squad instead of Racing Metro's Francois Steyn.

Steyn, who played fullback against the Wallabies, limped off with a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, the Springbok team management have denied reports that captain and hooker John Smit, who left the field late in the match with an arm injury, would miss the World Cup.

"The Springbok medical team will provide an update on the squad's injury status on Monday, but confirmed that reports that captain John Smit had torn elbow ligaments and would miss the Rugby World Cup were completely inaccurate," the statement said.

Smit, himself posted a message on Twitter saying "my arm is fine today".