Durban - Springbok coach Allister Coetzee is keeping an eye on Duane Vermeulen and was happy to see him return to action for Toulon in a 28-6 win over Montpellier on Sunday night.
Vermeulen had been out of action with a knee injury that he picked up on duty for his French Top 14 club before the Rugby Championship.
As a result, Warren Whiteley has played at No 8 for the duration of the tournament.
Speaking in Durban on Monday, Coetzee said he was pleased to have Vermeulen fit again but he also expressed his satisfaction with his current loose trio of Whiteley, Francois Louw and Oupa Mohoje.
"Duane has been cleared last week only. I noted that he played last night (Sunday) and I’m happy that he’s gone through that match," Coetzee said.
"But we’re fine... we’ve just got Willem Alberts back and Warren Whiteley is going well.
"It’s great to have Duane back as well. There is no particular reason why he hasn’t been (called up)... he’s just played his first 80 minutes of rugby in whatever time it was.
"I’m very happy with the combination of the loose trio."
The Springboks take on the All Blacks at Kings Park on Saturday (17:05 kick-off).