The Springboks will get help from abroad when they take on England in June.
Some of South Africa's foreign legion are apparently willing to return before mid-year, which will make them eligible to play against the Six Nations champions. SA Rugby policy is that foreign-based players with fewer than 30 tests are ineligible for selection. Players can circumvent that by briefly playing in the country before the June internationals.
"Quite a few guys want to come home. About five," said SA Rugby president Mark Alexander without revealing their identities.
"They are finishing up (in Europe). Some will be available from the middle of Super Rugby. They will be contracted to a province.
"They may not necessarily be absorbed into Super Rugby but if they play here they are eligible," said Alexander, who did not elaborate on the identity of the players.
A player known to be coming off contract is influential loose forward Duane Vermeulen. Vermeulen has played more than 30 tests and would be an automatic selection in a Bok match-day group of 23.
His club Toulon last month confirmed he would be leaving the club but it has been reported that Vermeulen may have a final fling abroad with a short-term deal in Japan.
That means he will be out of contention for the Rugby Championships but he may still feature against England in June.
His availability may affect who ultimately wears the captain's armband.
When Alexander was asked whether Warren Whiteley would resume his role as captain after missing the bulk of last season through injury he said: "The coach will determine whether he wants continuity or whether he wants to change. I think it would be stupid to change it now, if you have a group of players who can lead. There are a number of players who can lead the team."
Meanwhile, the Springbok management team will be "lean and mean", with greater reliance on consultants.
Alexander said the coaching group is supposed to be finalised in the next week or two. The group will have a new look about it after Allister Coetzee's sacking, while assistant coach Franco Smith has also departed the scene having agreed to resume the top coaching job at the Cheetahs.
What is apparent is that the new coaching group will have fewer permanent appointees as SA Rugby tries to stay within budget. "It will be a lean and mean team," said Alexander. "Do you need people on a full-time basis? That's where you can bring consultants in.
"If the coach feels the team needs to brush up their skills under the high ball, then they can get a specialist but then he leaves when he's done. He doesn't have to be with the team all the time," explained Alexander...