Fullback Francois Steyn is set to join struggling South Africa on Sunday when they start preparing for two Tri-Nations home fixtures against Australia.

Steyn played for French club Racing Metro on Friday after recovering from a thigh injury and Springbok manager Andy Marinos said he would travel to Pretoria, where the August 28 first Test against the Wallabies will be staged.

South Africa conceded two tries in the final three minutes against New Zealand before a near-90,000 crowd at Soccer City in Soweto Saturday to lose 22-29 and remain bottom of the southern hemisphere championship table.

The reigning world champions need to beat Australia twice — the second clash is on September 4 in Bloemfontein — to dodge the wooden spoon one year after winning their third Tri-Nations title.