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Cape Town - Springbok captain Jean de Villiers has welcomed the addition to the Bok squad of experienced veterans Victor Matfield and Schalk Burger.
Matfield and Burger last played for the Springboks at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but were earlier this week included in a 36-man squad to attend a national training camp in Durban from May 25 to 28.
It is only a preliminary squad, with the final one for the June Tests to be named on May 31, but it would be seen as a surprise if Matfield and Burger fail to make the final cut.
De Villiers, who has captained the Boks since the 2012 season, believes the experience of Matfield and Burger would be invaluable to the national team.
"As soon as you get so much experience back, it makes a captain's job much easier. We are also big mates and share the same views on the game. I am sure we'll support each other on and off the field," De Villiers told Die Burger's website.
De Villiers said it was special to see the duo return to the Bok fold after both produced top form in Super Rugby this year.
Matfield has 110 Test caps behind his name and Burger 68.
De Villiers further welcomed the return to the squad of Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow, whose last Test appearance also came at the previous World Cup.
The Springboks start their year with a game against the World XV at Newlands on June 7, followed by two Tests against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and one against Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
Matfield and Burger last played for the Springboks at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, but were earlier this week included in a 36-man squad to attend a national training camp in Durban from May 25 to 28.
It is only a preliminary squad, with the final one for the June Tests to be named on May 31, but it would be seen as a surprise if Matfield and Burger fail to make the final cut.
De Villiers, who has captained the Boks since the 2012 season, believes the experience of Matfield and Burger would be invaluable to the national team.
"As soon as you get so much experience back, it makes a captain's job much easier. We are also big mates and share the same views on the game. I am sure we'll support each other on and off the field," De Villiers told Die Burger's website.
De Villiers said it was special to see the duo return to the Bok fold after both produced top form in Super Rugby this year.
Matfield has 110 Test caps behind his name and Burger 68.
De Villiers further welcomed the return to the squad of Cheetahs flank Heinrich Brüssow, whose last Test appearance also came at the previous World Cup.
The Springboks start their year with a game against the World XV at Newlands on June 7, followed by two Tests against Wales (Durban, June 14 and Nelspruit, June 21) and one against Scotland (Port Elizabeth, June 28).
