Scrum of the Earth /

South Africa Pieter de Villiers has wielded the World Cup winning axe by releasing Francois Steyn, Ruan Pienaar, Odwa Ndungane and Guthro Steenkamp from the 28-man squad to take on Tri-Nations hopefuls Argentina on Saturday.

Steyn and Pienaar will feel a little hard done by, especially considering Butch James’ disappointing form at fly-half.

Jaque Fourie is retained, as is scrum-half Fourie du Preez and wing Jongi Nowke.

South African squad:

Forwards: Adriaan Strauss, Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis, Brian Mujati, CJ van der Linde, Joe van Niekerk, Juan Smith, Luke Watson, Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Tendai Mtawarira, Victor Matfield (captain).

Backs: Adrian Jacobs, Bryan Habana, Butch James, Conrad Jantjes, Enrico Januarie, Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, Jean de Villiers, Jongi Nokwe, JP Pietersen, Percy Montgomery.