Jannie du Plessis has been included in a 23-man South Africa squad for their opening Tri-Nations match against New Zealand.

The Sharks prop, who last featured for the Springboks against England at the end of 2008, is the only new face amongst the group, with the rest of the team having all featured in the recently-concluded series victory against the British and Irish Lions.

The most notable absentee in Peter de Villiers' squad for the clash in Bloemfontein on July 25, is Schalk Burger, currently serving a 12-week ban for misconduct during the second Test against the Lions, but Bakkies Botha, whose two-week suspension for dangerous charging ends this week, has been named.

Zane Kirchner, a debutant in the previous Test, is excluded alongside Odwa Ndungane, Jaque Fourie, Wynand Olivier, Jongi Nokwe, Earl Rose, Deon Carstens, Johann Muller and Gurthro Steenkamp.

South Africa squad to face New Zealand in their opening Tri-Nations match on July 25:

Backs: J de Villiers (Stormers), F du Preez (Bulls), J Fourie (Lions), B Habana (Bulls), A Jacobs (Sharks), E Januarie (Stormers), R Pienaar (Sharks), JP Pietersen (Sharks), F Steyn (Sharks), M Steyn (Bulls).

Forwards: A Bekker (Stormers), B Botha (Bulls), H Brussow (Cheetahs), B du Plessis (Sharks), J du Plessis (Sharks), R Kankowski (Sharks), V Matfield (Bulls), T Mtawarira (Sharks), C Ralepelle (Bulls), D Rossouw (Bulls), J Smit (Sharks), J Smith (Cheetahs), P Spies (Bulls).