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South Africa's Springbok squad for Saturday's Test against Argentina were left out so they could get valuable playing time at their clubs, coach Peter de Villiers said on Monday.

Francois Steyn, Gurthro Steenkamp and Ruan Pienaar were surprise omissions when the squad was cut from 28 to 24 on Sunday, with wing Odwa Ndungane also being released.

The decision leaves the Springboks with no specialist flyhalf cover for Butch James.

"If something happens to Butch James, then I can't bring in a guy who has not been playing," De Villiers told a news conference. "The players all need to keep sharp and it's best if I allow the guys to play, not standing around holding kit bags."

He added that they had also been released from the squad due to considerations regarding the make-up of the bench. "It's not only about the flyhalves. We also have to get the composition of the whole team right," he said.

"Percy Montgomery will never start a game at flyhalf while I am coach, but if there's an emergency during the game, then we can call on him and he will do a good job there.

"With any selection, the landscape can change. If I decide I want a second flyhalf on the bench, then I can call Ruan Pienaar back immediately," De Villiers added.

Game time
"We announced a 30-man squad for the Tri-Nations home leg and the other four players are still on hand and can come back any time," he added, referring to the clash with New Zealand in Cape Town on August 16.

Flyhalf Peter Grant and eighth man Ryan Kankowski were in the initial squad but released last week due to injury.