Blackburn striker Benni McCarthy has been recalled to the South Africa squad after nine-months in self-imposed international exile.

McCarthy has not played for his country since February following a fall-out with former head coach Joel Santana, which resulted in the 31-year-old missing the Confederations Cup in South Africa in June.

However, Carlos Alberto Parreira has returned for a second spell in charge, and ahead of forthcoming friendlies with Japan and Jamaica, McCarthy is back in the squad.

Assistant coach Jairo Leal said: "The return of Benni was done after we spoke about it between myself, Pitso (Mosimane, another assistant) and Parreira.

"He (Benni) is the main striker in the country and this is the time to bring Benni back and see how he does in the last two games of the year.

"He is a good player, and we trust Benni is going to help us in the way forward."