Burger missed the third Lions Test following his ban

Schalk Burger has been included in the Springboks' 27-man squad for their three-match Tri-Nations trip to Australia and New Zealand.

The flanker is currently serving an eight-week ban for gouging British and Irish Lions winger Luke Fitzgerald a minute into the second Test in June.

But his suspension ends shortly before the Tri-Nations pacesetters take on Australia in Perth on 29 August.

Burger will face stiff competition for a starting place from Heinrich Brussow.

The dynamic Free State Cheetahs flanker has been a revelation in South Africa's two home wins against the All Blacks and one against the Wallabies.

Also added to the 22-man squad that defeated Australia 29-17 in Cape Town Saturday are wing Odwa Ndungane, centre Wynand Olivier, prop Gurthro Steenkamp and number eight Ryan Kankowski.

606: DEBATE I thought Brussow was good in the last two games but he was absolutely amazing on Saturday. What a talent he is! SaffaBickers

All have featured for the national team this year in the three-Test Lions series or the Tri-Nations.

South Africa have a big lead in the Tri-Nations with 12 points, followed by New Zealand with four and Australia with one.

After the match in Perth, they play Australia again a week later in Brisbane before facing the All Blacks on 12 September in Hamilton.

South Africa Tri-Nations squad:

Backs: Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Adrian Jacobs, Ricky Januarie, Odwa Ndungane, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, JP Pietersen, Fourie du Preez, Francois Steyn, Morne Steyn, Jean de Villiers.

Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Heinrich Brussow, Schalk Burger, Ryan Kankowski, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (capt), Juan Smith, Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp.

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