The Golden Lions trio of flyhalf Elton Jantjies, utility back Jaco Taute and prop CJ van der Linde were among four players called up to the Springbok squad on Saturday for Rugby Championship Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

Free State Cheetahs prop Coenie Oosthuizen was also included in the 30-man group.

"I'd always wanted to include Jaco in the squad but an untimely injury meant we could not select him earlier," Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said in a statement.

"Jaco is big, strong, fast and versatile and it will be good to get him involved.

"Elton was part of the squad before this season -- against England in June and in the first part of the Castle Rugby Championship.

"He only missed out when we had to cut the numbers of the squad and it's good to have him back.

"CJ, who took part in our training camps earlier in the season, brings a lot of experience to our pack and he is no longer injured.

"Apart from being the second most experienced prop in Springbok history, after Os du Randt, he is versatile and can play loosehead and tighthead.

"And it's great to have Coenie back with us after he picked up an injury on debut in the first Test against England in June.

"He is a world class prop and losing him was a big setback."

Meyer said only two scrumhalves had been selected for the Tests, with Jano Vermaak dropped from the squad that did duty on the tour of Australasia.

The SA Rugby Union (Saru) said the national selectors felt that Vermaak was familiar with the game plan and "could easily be brought back in should his services be required".

Six players -- JP Pietersen, Bjorn Basson, Pierre Spies, Siya Kolisi, Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bismarck du Plessis -- had not been considered due to injury.

Lying third in the Rugby Championship standings with one win from three Tests, Meyer said the Boks were bracing for tough contests over the next couple of weeks.

"There were a number of positives we took from the matches in Perth and Dunedin and it is imperative that we build on those," Meyer said.

"The Tests against Australia and New Zealand won't be easy -- the All Blacks are unbeaten this year and the Wallabies have done well to win their last two matches, so we will have to be at our best at Loftus Versfeld and Soccer City.

"But I'm happy with the progress we've made on tour and the big challenge will be to now take the next step as we grow as a team."

Springbok squad: Willem Alberts, Andries Bekker, Craig Burden, Pat Cilliers, Marcell Coetzee, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers (captain), Jannie du Plessis, Eben Etzebeth, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Elton Jantjies, Zane Kirchner, Juandre Kruger, Pat Lambie, Tiaan Liebenberg, Francois Louw, Tendai Mtawarira, Lwazi Mvovo, Coenie Oosthuizen, Ruan Pienaar, Jacques Potgieter, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn, Adriaan Strauss, Jaco Taute, CJ van der Linde, Flip van der Merwe, Duane Vermeulen.