Vice-captain Victor Matfield was one of 14 players named in coach Peter de Villiers’ 24-man squad who played no part in games in Australia and New Zealand because of injury.

South Africa fielded a weakened team for both those away matches, losing heavily and sparking debate that the world champion was resting its best players ahead of its World Cup defense — against Tri-Nations rules.

Australia’s rugby union even asked SANZAR — the body that oversees southern hemisphere rugby — to investigate the injury list released by the Boks before the tournament that contained 21 frontline players.

The three countries have an agreement to always field their best-available players in the Tri-Nations.

South Africa was also accused of putting those top players — who were listed as injured — in a training camp in a remote northern city back home to prepare for the World Cup in New Zealand that starts in September.

That was denied by De Villiers, who said the players were receiving treatment for their injuries. SANZAR said the injuries were legitimate.

“We still have a number of injury concerns but the majority of the players who were in rehabilitation have recovered well and are now available for selection,” De Villiers said Friday.

Matfield, a veteran of 104 tests, lock partner Bakkies Botha, frontrowers Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira and backs Frans Steyn, JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Butch James, Fourie du Preez and Francois Hougaard have all returned to the squad.

Gurthro Steenkamp was also included after he missed most of the season with a fractured arm while No. 8 Pierre Spies, who did not go on tour to Australasia but was not named among the injured players, was also recalled.

Loose forward Schalk Burger (hand), Juan Smith (Achilles), Willem Alberts (shoulder) had not yet recovered from their injuries, the South African Rugby Union said.

De Villiers added he was “hopeful” that they will recover in time for the World Cup, which begins Sept. 9. South Africa names its World Cup squad on Aug. 23.

Flanker Heinrich Brussow will be assessed after he plays for his provincial team over the weekend and could still join the Tri-Nations squad.

Young flyhalf Pat Lambie and wing Bjorn Basson — who played in last weekend’s 40-7 defeat to New Zealand — were among a group of players released to their provincial teams and not considered for the home matches against Australia in Durban on Aug. 13 and the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth a week later — South Africa’s last games before it begins its world title defense against Wales on Sept. 11.

Nine players who went on the Boks’ losing tour to Australasia were retained in Friday’s squad, including captain John Smit and newcomers Jean Deysel and Gerhard Mostert.