Bobo - who played the last of his five 15-man Tests for South Africa against Scotland in November 2004 - has been called up to fill the void left by the call-up of several players for Super 14 duty.

South Africa will be travelling to New Zealand and the USA minus a couple of stalwarts, who were summoned for Super 14 duty. These include Rayno Benjamin, Phillip Burger and veteran Sevens campaigner Kabamba Floors.

Another feature of the team is the release (from Super 14 commitments for Sevens duty) of Sevens stars Stefan Basson and Jonathan Mokuena, the latter having captained South African in the opening rounds in Dubai and George last year.

The SA team, comprising of five forwards and seven backline players, now features the likes of Bobo (Sharks), Sevens veteran Antonius Verhoeven (Boland) and debutant Howard Noble.

The promising Sharks winger is the younger brother of current Springbok Sevens player Dusty Noble.

The younger Noble was included in the preparation squad ahead of the opening tournaments in Dubai and George last November, but did not make the final selection of 12.

His inclusion for the next two assignments now means that South Africa will for the first time field two brothers in the same Springbok Sevens team.

The team is currently based in Cape Town where it will continue with its preparations before flying out to New Zealand on Sunday evening.

South African, after winning in Dubai and losing to New Zealand in the final in George, share the lead in the overall standings of the IRB Sevens series with the Kiwis.

South Africa and New Zealand both have 36 points, with defending IRB Sevens series champions, Fiji, and England (both on 24 points), in joint third place.

Springbok Sevens squad: Gcobani Bobo, Howard Noble, Dusty Noble (all Sharks), Mpho Mbiyozo (Western Province), Jeandré Blom, Jonathan Mokuena (Free State Cheetahs), Renfred Dazel, Antonius Verhoeven (Boland), Schalk van der Merwe, Mzwandile Stick, Marius Schoeman (all SA Rugby contracted), Stefan Basson (Blue Bulls).

Management: Pieter Visser (manager), Paul Treu (coach), Matime Diale (physiotherapist), Denzil van Heerden (conditioning coach).