South Africa recall trio for Tests

Nicky Boje is back in the Test squad after a brilliant domestic season © Getty Images

South Africa have recalled Nicky Boje, Boeta Dippenaar and Andrew Hall to their 14-man squad for the first two Tests against Australia. Shaun Pollock and Andre Nel have both been included despite missing the final one-day international, but Garnett Kruger has been named as cover.

Boje was dropped following the Boxing Day Test against Australia, at Melbourne, but has made an irresistible case for a recall with a brilliant domestic season, which has included a career-best 8 for 93. Even if Johan Botha, who can't bowl because of a suspect action, had been available Boje would have been in the frame to return.

Dippenaar has been rewarded for impressive one-day form - he scored 101 in the fourth ODI against Australia - with a return to the Test side for the first Time since the tour of West Indies last May. Hall, too, has not played a Test since the West Indies trip and will add some much needed experience to the bowling attack.

Makhaya Ntini, who missed the final Test against Australia at Sydney in January, is back in the side after recovering from a knee injury, while Charl Langeveldt, who played at Sydney, was not considered because of a broken finger.

South Africa squad Graeme Smith (capt), Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Jacques Rudolph, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Shaun Pollock, Andrew Hall, Nicky Boje, Makhaya Ntini, Andre Nel, Garnett Kruger.