Springbok coach Peter de Villiers will look to put the last few pieces of his Tri-Nations puzzle into place when South Africa face Italy in East London on Saturday.

The Bok mentor, speaking at a media gathering in East London, said he has completed 75 percent of the picture and hope to find answers to the remaining questions at the Buffalo City Stadium.

South Africa start their Tri-Nations campaign with back-to-back games against the All Blacks - in Auckland on July 10 and in Wellington a week later. They face the Wallabies in Brisbane on July 24, before taking a break while the All Blacks and Wallabies slug it out for a few weeks (in Melbourne, July 31 and Christchurch in August 7).

The competition then moves to South African soil - where the Boks face the All Blacks in Johannesburg (August 21), before back-to-back encounters with the Wallabies in Pretoria (August 28) and Bloemfontein (September 4). Australia and New Zealand complete the fixtures in Sydney on September 11.

This Saturday's second Test against Italy provides De Villiers with the last opportunity to look at some players before naming his Tri-Nations squad.

Captain John Smit and stalwart flank Schalk Burger were two of the several players who rejoined the Boks at their base in East London, ahead of Saturday's showdown with the Azzurri.

Others who rejoined the national team, after missing the first Test in Witbank at the weekend, include locks Andries Bekker and Danie Rossouw, as well as centres Jaque Fourie and Wynand Olivier.

Players who have left the Bok camp and returned to their franchises - after the scratchy 29-13 win in Witbank - include Ryan Kankowski, Allister Hargreaves, Bandise Maku, Bjorn Basson, Flip van der Merwe and Matfield.

Having beaten Wales and France comfortably in the previous fortnight, the Boks looked disjointed in their win over Italy in Witbank last Saturday.

Despite not being entirely satisfied with the manner of victory last week, De Villiers said he was happy with his preparations over the past few weeks and ahead of the Tri-Nations.

"This week is the last of four weeks that we have had to prepare and at this stage I am 75 percent sure on who will go on the Tri-Nations tour," the Bok coach said.

"This is the last piece of the puzzle, which we hope will fall into place for us to be ready for the Tri-Nations.

"We have had the best of both worlds - as we have been given opportunities to experiment and manage the players ahead of the Tri-Nations."

The coach added that he had been impressed with the performances of new players who have come into the team over the past weeks.

"What has been most encouraging is how new players have slotted in with very little disruption to our game.

"There are youngsters in the team who have been rewarded for their performances in the Super 14 and they have rewarded their selection with good play for the team.

"They have made the most of their opportunities and they will make things tough for players coming back into the team.

"In this team no one's place is guaranteed and players who have been out will have to work their way back."

De Villiers also applauded the Border Rugby Football Union on its readiness for Saturday's Test against Italy at the Buffalo City Stadium.

De Villiers was addressing a press conference shortly after the team's first training session at the match venue on Monday.

"The standard of the pitch is fantastic," he said.

"Our hosts have done a great job to ensure that the venue is of international standard.

"Now we must come to the party with a good performance at the weekend. The table has been set and we are looking forward to providing a satisfying meal for the East London crowd."

Saturday will be the Boks' third Test appearance in East London and the first since they faced Uruguay at this venue in 2005.

The only other Test encounter was against Canada in 2000, ironically with the current Italian coach Nick Mallett at the helm.

It will be the tenth Test between the two countries.