South Africa may recall winger Bryan Habana for their Tri-Nations opener against Australia in Brisbane on Saturday.
Habana has recovered from a rib injury and, according to the Afrikaans-language newspaper Beeld, the winger is being primed for a comeback.
In last year’s series, Habana scored two superb breakaway tries to give the Springboks a famous victory in Perth, and coach Jake White is hoping for the same impact this time around.
White may also give a senior debut to the three Under-21 caps in his squad – Pierre Spies, Chiliboy Ralepelle and JP Pietersen.
With only 14 Tests to play before the start of next year’s World Cup, White wants to start blooding his younger players and to do so before facing New Zealand the following weekend in Wellington.
"We all saw on Saturday what a force the All Blacks are going to be," White told Beeld.
"The sooner we expose our newcomers to Test rugby the better."
The All Blacks beat Australia 32-12 in the series opener in Christchurch on Saturday.
