South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is without eight injured players

South Africa coach Peter de Villiers has named four uncapped players in his 30-man squad for Tests against Wales and Italy next month.

Andries Bekker, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati and Odwa Ndungane earn places after good showings in the Super 14.

Sharks captain Johann Muller, plus World Cup-winners JP Pietersen and Akona Ndungane are surprise omissions.

Also missing are eight injured players, including flanker Schalk Burger and scrum-half Fourie du Preez.

Fellow number nine Heini Adams, back-row Wikus van Heerden, plus centres Jacque Fourie and Meyer Bosman are the other leading casualties.

Zane Kirchner and Duanne Vermeulen complete the Springbok injury list, while there is no place for World Cup prop Jannie du Plessis.

Wing Pietersen has been omitted to improve his conditioning, but could force his way back for the Tri-Nations.

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Two of the new recruits, props 'Beast' Mtawarira and Mujati, are both Zimbabweans but have been cleared to play for their adopted country after work permits were sorted out.

Wales coach Warren Gatland has his own injury problems and has seen three scrum-halves - Mike Phillips, Dwayne Peel and Andy Williams - ruled out, while Grand Slam winners Gavin Henson, Martyn Williams, Lee Byrne, and Huw Bennett are also absent.

The Springboks play Wales in two Tests - at Bloemfontein's Vodacom Park on 7 June, followed by Pretoria's Loftus Versfeld the following Saturday - then face Italy on 21 June, before beginning their Tri-Nations campaign against New Zealand on 5 July.

"It wasn't easy cutting down the squad to 30, and that is how it should always be," De Villiers said.

"A lot of guys put up their hands and I want to make it clear that the Springbok door is not shut to anyone.

"The squad was picked entirely on merit, and every player named deserves his spot.

"I congratulate them all and look forward to the challenges of Wales and Italy that are now upon us."

South Africa squad:

Backs: Gcobani Bobo, Tonderai Chavhanga, Bolla Conradie, Jean de Villiers, Peter Grant, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Ricky Januarie, Percy Montgomery, Odwa Ndungane, Ruan Pienaar and Francois Steyn.
Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Brian Mujati, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk and Luke Watson.