The Springboks had little more than a loosener when they trained, after assembling in Pretoria on Thursday before their Tri-Nations trip to Australasia next week.

Three of the Springboks didn't take part in the training session - which consisted of a warming-up session under fitness trainer Neels Liebel, a few skills drills and a little structure practiced during what was little more than a 'touch rugby' session.

Scrumhalf Ricky Januarie was in Cape Town to be with his wife for the birth of their child, while Sharks wing Odwa Ndungane jogged around the field under the watchful eye of the team physio. He has a troublesome hip.

Flank Juan Smith sat out the session with an ankle injury, sustained in the 29-17 win over the Wallabies in Cape Town.

Suspended Springbok flank Schalk Burger, who is allowed to make his comeback on Saturday after being banned following an eye-gouging incident against the British and Irish Lions in the second test of the Lions tour, rejoined his team-mates.

He had been training with Western Province in Cape Town for the past few weeks.

The team will have another run on Friday that will be open to the public, and also on Saturday when the press and public will not be allowed access.

Another open session is to follow on Monday morning before the first 18 Boks and management leave for Perth on Monday evening and arrive less than four days before the kick-off against Australia on Saturday.

The second group of 25 players and management leave on Tuesday and will have little recovery time before a Test which could virtually seal the Tri-Nations competition for them.

The Boks play the Wallabies in Brisbane the following week and the All Blacks in Hamilton on September 12.