Johannesburg - Golden Lions scrumhalf Ross Cronje was called up to the Springbok squad in Cardiff as a replacement for Rudy Paige who was ruled out of Saturday's Test against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer said on Thursday: "Ross impressed during a very successful Currie Cup campaign for the Golden Lions and also showed good form earlier in the year in Super rugby.
"We considered not calling up a third scrumhalf but that would've been very risky."
Paige injured his knee in training earlier this week and will be out for approximately four weeks.
A request was made for Toulouse scrumhalf Jano Vermaak to rejoin the squad, but it was rejected as he is playing for his club this weekend.
Cronje would link up with the Springboks in Cardiff on Friday.