Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brussow has been added to the Springbok squad for the home leg of the Tri-Nations after coming through 25 minutes of Currie Cup rugby at the weekend.

On Friday Springbok coach Peter de Villiers omitted Brussow from a 24-man squad for clashes against Australia and New Zealand in Durban and Port Elizabeth, but said that if he came through the Currie Cup encounter he would be added to the group.

Brussow, who has been out of rugby for almost two months with a hamstring strain, played without discomfort during the Cheetahs 28-22 win over Western Province in Bloemfontein.

The 25-year-old fetcher quickly reminded fans, selectors and opponents why he was the most feared openside flank in the world in 2009 before injuries wreaked havoc with his career.

He made two vital steals in the closing minutes of the game and slowed WP ball at crucial times. His impact on the game undoubtedly robbed the Cape side of momentum at the breakdown.

Brussow joined the fray with the Cheetahs trailing 16-15 and unsurprisingly changed the outcome with a timely cameo that would have warmed De Villiers's heart.

The nuggety backrower was the best poacher when referees were instructed to be harder on the attacking team at the breakdown. But in the last 18 months - the period Brussow has hardly played - referees have come down harder on tacklers who do not show daylight after felling their man.

Brussow appears to have adapted well.

"The breakdown has changed a little since 2009," Brussow said. "Referees make it more difficult because they all seem to interpret it in a different way.

"But we have seen the guys who were good at stealing ball in 2009 are still good at it today. Richie McCaw stole about three balls against the Springboks in Wellington and he slowed a lot of ball.

"Maybe the one aspect of the game that's even more vital now is that the fetcher has to slow the ball more effectively and not only turn it over. By slowing the ball you allow your defence to regroup. I think there are fewer penalties at the breakdown now.

"I just need a few games to get up to speed because it's tough to come back. Fortunately I played about five or six games in the Super 15, even though I never played full games, I have had a little time to adapt."

Brussow toured Australia and New Zealand with the Boks last month but didn't play due to the hamstring strain. Now that he's proved that the injury is behind him, it's just a question of reaching peak match fitness.

Since De Villiers didn't name a specialist openside flank in his original 24-man group, it appears Brussow might start against the Wallabies. But it's unlikely he'll play the full 80 minutes.

SPRINGBOK SQUAD

Forwards: Heinrich Brussow, Pierre Spies, Jean Deysel, Danie Rossouw, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Gerhard Mostert, John Smit (captain), Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira, Jannie du Plessis, Gurthrö Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.

Backs: Gio Aplon, Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Morne Steyn, Butch James, Ruan Pienaar, Fourie du Preez, Francois Hougaard.

• Australia's coach Robbie Deans has axed flyhalf Matt Giteau from his 26-man squad for the match in Durban. He's also left Dan Vickerman behind to play club rugby.