Dragons star Percy Montgomery is set for a return to Springboks colours © Getty Images

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Gwent Dragons star Percy Montgomery and Leicester flyhalf Jaco van der Westhuyzen are both under the consideration of South Africa's national selectors for the first test against Ireland on June 12.

Springbok coach Jake White has been informed that he can select up to three overseas-based players and Montgomery and Japan-bound Van der Westhuyzen are strong contenders.

White has also done everything in his power to lure Clyde Rathbone, the captain of South Africa's under-21 World Cup winning team in 2002, back to the country. However, Rathbone has been among the leading stars of the Super 12 in the colours of Australia's ACT Brumbies and it's looking unlikely.

The selectors - convenor Andre Markgraaff, White and Peter Jooste - are also hopeful that they can get gifted loose forward Joe van Niekerk and centre Jean de Villiers fit for the series against the Irish.

Van Niekerk has not played a single Super 12 match since suffering a serious knee injury at the World Cup, while the extravagantly talented De Villiers suffered a massive shoulder injury in a World Cup warm-up and is just over three weeks shy of fitness.

De Villiers will consult a specialist in Cape Town on Monday to check whether his shoulder is ready to stand up to serious contact.

If the Stormers fail to make the semifinals of the Super 12, the selectors will announce a 22-man squad for the first test in Bloemfontein on Monday. However, if they make it to the play-offs, the announcement will be postponed until May 15. If they advance to the final, the squad can only be announced on the 22nd.

Van Niekerk is expected to play a club match next weekend, while White will have a training camp where there will be contact sessions against Free State and Free State University.

He will also have a warm-up match against an Invitational XV in Kimberley on June 2 to help the likes of Van Niekerk and De Villiers gain match fitness. Even if they are not as sharp as they need to be to start against the Irish, it's not inconceivable that they will be on the bench.

South Africa 'A' also play a practice match against a Namibia Invitation XV on June 5. The selectors met this past week and the bulk of the team has already been picked, though it has not been made public.

At fullback, Montgomery may well get the nod. Sharks star Brent Russell has produced flashes of brilliance for the Sharks, but is widely considered to be best suited to an impact role off the bench. Werner Greeff's form has been disappointing.

Montgomery could also be needed for the goalkicking as there is speculation that Van der Westhuyzen will be preferred to Butch James at flyhalf.

The Stormers centre pair of De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert should pick themselves. However, De Villiers is a serious threat to Barry, while Wayne Julies will also be in the equation as he and Joubert were an explosive combination in their early days at provincial minnows Boland.

Rathbone, if he returns, will also be considered, though he can also slot in on the wing. Ashwin Willemse has been a victim of the Cats' poor Super 12 campaign, but his class is undoubted and he should still get the nod on the right wing. Breyton Paulse's experience could land him the spot on the left, though Sharks man Henno Mentz has been the form player.

At flyhalf, James has been by far the most consistent in the Super 12, though Van der Westhuyzen could storm his way in. Scrumhalf is a bit of a mystery as South Africa have plenty of talented players.

White could be tempted into playing Craig Davidson if he opts for James at No 10, as the pair have formed a good combination at the Sharks.

The selection of Van der Westhuyzen, a former Bulls player, could see a different scenario. Bulls star Fourie du Preez, a polished halfback, could then be in the mix. The Stormers' Neil de Kock, however, is considered South Africa's best all-round scrumhalf, while Bolla Conradie has great flair.

Up front, the loose forward permutations and the prop positions are the main talking points. Schalk Burger, the South Africa under-21 captain under White last year, is expected to be his fetcher, with the No 8 spot determined by Van Niekerk's fitness.

Adri Badenhorst has been the form eighthman in the Super 12, but his ability to step into the highest arena is questionable. The same applies to the Bulls' Anton Leonard.

Jacques Cronje, who has shifted around between flank and No 8 for the Bulls, may well get the nod. Juan Smith, who has seen limited action this year, can also play the position, but is considered best suited to the side of the scrum.

Unless AJ Venter's appeal against an eight-week suspension for headbutting is upheld, White will probably settle for the Bulls lock pair of Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.

Daan Human has been the form loosehead prop, but the selectors will be keen to bulk up the front row with some experience, which could mean a recall for 1995 World Cup veteran Os du Randt.

John Smit has been confirmed as captain, which means he will be at hooker, though there is a school of thought that Bulls man Gary Botha can offer more in the position. Hanyani Shimange has also been in good form at the Cats.

The crucial tighthead position is a concern. Eddie Andrews of the Stormers has been in good form, but will probably be considered a little too youthful at this stage. The best option is probably to whip Bulls man Richard Bands into shape.

Another factor the selectors need to consider is black representation. Although there as been no official confirmation, it is believed that there will be five black players in South Africa's 22-man squad.

I'll venture this guess: Percy Montgomery, Ashwin Willemse, Marius Joubert, De Wet Barry, Breyton Paulse, Jaco van der Westhuyzen, Bolla Conradie, Jacques Fourie, Juan Smith, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Richard Bands, John Smit, Os du Randt. Susbtitutes: Hanyani Shimange, Eddie Andrews, Selborne Boome, Joe van Niekerk, Fourie du Preez, Butch James, Brent Russell. .