Five members of the Springbok squad that returned from New Zealand on Monday have been released to their provinces to play in the Currie Cup at the weekend.

The released players were part of the 28-man squad that played Australia and New Zealand on consecutive weekends in the Rugby Championship, but were not part of the match 22 that faced the All Blacks in Dunedin on Saturday.

The players are Craig Burden (The Sharks), Frans Malherbe (Western Province), Jacques Potgieter (Blue Bulls), Jano Vermaak (Blue Bulls) and Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks).

A sixth player, who was not part of the match 22 in Dunedin, Pat Cilliers of the Golden Lions, is injured and not available for selection this weekend.

A Springbok squad of 30 players for the final two Tests in the Rugby Championship will be announced at the conclusion of round seven of the Currie Cup Premier Division on Saturday evening.

The Springboks play Australia at Loftus Versfeld on September 29, and New Zealand at FNB Stadium on October 6.   The squad will convene in Johannesburg on Sunday evening to start preparations for the Tests.