Redemption-seeking Springboks recall Louw

Coach Allister Coetzee also called up winger Sibusiso Nkosi and scrum-half Louis Schreuder — both uncapped — for home Tests against Australia and New Zealand.

The Springboks face the Wallabies on September 30 in Bloemfontein and the All Blacks on October 7 in Cape Town.

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England-based Louw is renowned for securing turnover ball while Nkosi and Schreuder have impressed for Sharks in the Currie Cup, but are unknown international quantities.

Coetzee ignored another Sharks winger, Kobus van Wyk, who pundits claim has the physique necessary to combat typically large Rugby Championship backs.

“Francois is an experienced loose forward who has always performed well for us,” Coetzee said in a statement.

“He is regarded as one of the best open side flankers playing towards the ball and forcing turnovers.

“Francois had a proper off-season for the first time in a long while, and will be a good addition to our loose forward combinations in the absence of several players.

“Louis and Sibusiso have performed well this season, and their inclusion gives us an opportunity to work closely with them.

“They are in-form players and are making good decisions on the field in their respective positions.

“Their inclusions and exposure to this level will continue our process of building depth in certain positions.”

Public and media calls for a clean-out after the Auckland annihilation were ignored with only underperforming scrum-half Francois Hougaard dumped.

Tight-head prop Coenie Oosthuizen and flanker Jaco Kriel, who were part of the team that drew in Australia before missing the All Blacks rout owing to injuries, have been ruled out.

Those severely criticised after the heaviest defeat suffered by the Springboks include wingers Raymond Rhule and Courtnall Skosan and hooker Malcolm Marx.

Rhule and Skosan are considered defensive liabilities and the poor line-out throws of Marx allowed New Zealand to make numerous steals.

Before the New Zealand drubbing, South Africa won five Tests and drew one this year after a horror 2016 in which they lost eight of 12 internationals.

World champions New Zealand will win the southern hemisphere competition for the fifth time in six attempts if they defeat Argentina in Buenos Aires on September 30.

Springboks squad

Forwards (17): Eben Etzebeth (c), Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Pieter-Steph du Toit (all Western Stormers), Tendai Mtawarira, Daniel du Preez, Jean-Luc du Preez, Chiliboy Ralepelle (all Coastal Sharks), Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Franco Mostert (all Golden Lions), Lood de Jager, Trevor Nyakane (both Northern Bulls), Uzair Cassiem (Central Cheetahs), Francois Louw (Bath/ENG)

Backs (13): Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronje, Elton Jantjies, Courtnall Skosan (all Lions), Jesse Kriel, Rudy Paige, Handre Pollard, Jan Serfontein (all Bulls), Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds (both Stormers), Sibusiso Nkosi, Louis Schreuder (both Sharks), Raymond Rhule (Cheetahs)

Coach: Allister Coetzee.