Uncapped Lions backs Elton Jantjies and Jaco Taute were called up to South Africa's squad on Saturday for home games against Australia and New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.

The pair was included in coach Heyneke Meyer's 30-man squad alongside experienced prop CJ van der Linde - also of the Lions - and Cheetahs front-rower Coenie Oosthuizen.

The Springboks play the Wallabies in Pretoria next weekend and the runaway tournament leader and world champion All Blacks in Soweto a week later.

Center Taute, Van der Linde and Oosthuizen returned from injury while flyhalf Jantjies was recalled after being part of the squad for the home series against England in June and the first part of the southern hemisphere championship.

Lock Eben Etzebeth also returned to the squad, with his two-week ban for head-butting Australia captain Nathan Sharpe set to expire on Monday, but there was no place for fit-again flanker Heinrich Brussow.

South Africa hasn't won since the opening round of the championship, drawing away in Argentina and losing back-to-back matches in Australia and New Zealand on its away leg in the inaugural four-team tournament.

"There were a number of positives we took from the matches in Perth and Dunedin and it is imperative that we build on those," Meyer said.

"The (home) tests against Australia and New Zealand won't be easy - the All Blacks are unbeaten this year and the Wallabies have done well to win their last two matches, so we will have to be at our best at Loftus Versfeld and Soccer City.

"But I'm happy with the progress we've made on tour and the big challenge will be to now take the next step as we grow as a team."

The 21-year-old Taute had been tipped for a call-up to the Springbok squad before he injured his shoulder during the Super 15. He played for the Lions in their 28-22 win over the Sharks on Saturday in the meeting of the top two teams in the Currie Cup.

"I'd always wanted to include Jaco in the squad but an untimely injury meant we could not select him earlier," Meyer said. "Jaco is big, strong, fast and versatile and it will be good to get him involved."

Van der Linde is the second most capped prop in South Africa's history after two-time World Cup winner Os du Randt and added to the Springboks' front row options alongside the promising Oosthuizen, who made his test debut against England in June.

Loosehead prop Dean Greyling was ruled out of Saturday's game against Australia after being banned for striking New Zealand captain Richie McCaw.

Jantjies is the third choice No. 10 after the out-of-form Morne Steyn, who is facing a battle for his position from youngster Johan Goosen.

Meyer's Boks were surprised by Argentina in a 16-16 draw and then let leads slip against both Australia and New Zealand on their losing tour to Australasia, leaving the new coach under extra pressure to win the two home games and salvage some pride from a difficult first southern hemisphere tournament in charge.

- AP