Springbok coach Harry Viljoen on Saturday confirmed a squad of 26 to play a two-test series against France. The squad will be reviewed after the second test.

Andre Vos captains a squad that includes seven new faces and marks the return to international rugby of Bob Skinstad, De Wet Barry, Rassie Erasmus and Johan Ackermann.

The new faces are winger Dean Hall, utility back Conrad Jantjes, center Adrian Jacobs, flyhalf Butch James, scrumhalf Neil de Kock, prop Ettiene Fynn and hooker Lucas van Biljon. Fynn has played for the midweek Boks, but is yet to play a test match.

Viljoen, in announcing the squad, emphasized how difficult it had been to trim the training camp number of 32 to a test squad of 26. Deon Kayser, Gaffie du Toit, Charl van Rensburg, Francois Swart, Wayne Julies and Lawrence Sephaka were omitted.

"Some very good players have not made the squad. The six players to miss out are still very much a part of my plans. All six are naturally disappointed, but equally committed to force their way into the 26-test squad. I think the camp was a tremendous experience for all 32 and I am particularly pleased at the attitude of the players during the camp," said Viljoen.

"We planted the seeds for 2003 in the past fortnight and each player knows what will be required of him in the next two and a half years. I cannot fault one player for commitment or attitude and that is among the most pleasing aspects of the past two weeks."

Francois Swart, the SA under 19 flyhalf, will join Rudi Joubert's SA under 23 squad in Cape Town on Sunday, as will Wayne Julies and Lawrence Sephaka. Viljoen is delighted that Joubert agreed to accommodate his request to involve Swart.

"Francois has enormous potential. The camp was a brilliant experience for him. He got exposed to a culture he wants to be a part of and it is important his development is continued. I asked Rudi if he could include him in his plans. Fortunately, Rudi also attended the camp for a day and had a chance to see Francois first-hand. He liked what he saw and it is a boost for our rugby that he was willing to support my desire to see Francois play at a higher level. Wayne and Lawrence were both superb during the camp and are very much a part of our future plans. Both are still under 23. Lawrence, in particular, has responded to the challenge."

Kayser, Sephaka and Du Toit (contracted to the Springboks) will remain on contract and Viljoen has already requested that all three players be included in the Barbarians team to play Italy prior to the Springboks' one-off test against Italy at the end of the month.

"I know their ability and it is crucial that they get whatever game time on offer," said Viljoen. "I have picked a squad with a two-fold purpose. One is to beat France and the other is to introduce new talent at the highest level. Neil de Kock, Dean Hall, Conrad Jantjes, Adrian Jacobs and Lucas van Biljon are all very talented players. They have impressed me at the camp and it is an exciting time for our rugby to see young talent coming through. I have to develop a strong squad culture. This squad is about 26 players and not 15 starting individuals."

The test 22 will be named on Wednesday, June 13.

The Springbok squad to play two-test series against France.

Fullbacks: Percy Montgomery, Thinus Delport
Wings: Dean Hall, Breyton Paulse
Utility back: Conrad Jantjes
Centres: Japie Mulder, Robbie Fleck, De Wet Barry, Adrian Jacobs
Flyhalf: Butch James
Scrumhalves: Joost van der Westhuizen, Neil de Kock
No 8s: Andre Vos (captain), Bob Skinstad
Flankers: Rassie Erasmus, Corne Krige
Utility forward: Andre Venter
Locks: Mark Andrews, Johan Ackermann, Albert van den Berg
Tighthead props: Ettiene Fynn, Willie Meyer
Loosehead props: Robbie Kempson, Ollie le Roux
Hookers: John Smit, Lucas van Biljon