World Cup heroes John Smit, Percy Montgomery, Victor Matfield and Butch James will join the Springbok rugby training squad in Somerset West on May 26, SA Rugby confirmed on Wednesday.
Springbok captain Smit will be available for selection for both Tests against Wales on June 7 and June 14 before returning to France on June 15 to allow him to play for his club Clermont in their French Top 14 semi-final on June 21.
Should they make the final on June 28, Smit will remain in France for that match too.
The matches will mark the conclusion of Smit’s spell with Clermont.
A South African franchise for him is still being finalised. Similarly, Montgomery would be released back to Perpignan following the two Tests against Wales, should his club qualify for the French Top 14 semi-finals in this weekend’s round of matches.
Matfield is again contracted to the Vodacom Bulls, and therefore there are no complications with his recall. James’ commitments to Bath for the season concluded with their defeat in the Guinness Premiership semi-finals to Wasps.
Sapa – Rugbyweek.com