Habana can play at centre or on the wing

Habana was originally left out of the touring party as White looked to blood younger players.

But he has won a place after centre Fourie was ruled out of the trip after breaking his hand in training.

"Now that we've lost Jaque, we've had no option but to bring back another experienced player," said White.

"Bryan has played little rugby in recent weeks, but has spent a good deal of time in the gym and he looks in great shape.

"It was a toss up whether we should rest Jaque in the first place, but he and Jean de Villiers are an integral part of our team and we wanted to see how they played in different conditions."

Fourie broke a bone in his hand after finding himself caught at the bottom of a ruck and is expected to be out for six weeks.

Another concern is the fitness of prop CJ van der Linde.

The 26-year-old has hardly trained because of a hamstring problem but White is confident he will make the first Test against Ireland on 11 November.

South Africa also play England twice, on 18 & 25 November.

Revised South Africa squad: Johan Ackermann, BJ Botha, Gary Botha, Deon Carstens, Jacques Cronje, Jean de Villiers, Bevin Fortuin, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Enrico Januarie, Hilton Lobberts, Wynand Olivier, Johan Muller, Akona Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Andre Pretorius, Jaco Pretorius, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, Lawrence Sephaka, John Smit (captain), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Francois Steyn, Albert van den Berg, CJ van der Linde.