Left-arm spinner Nicky Boje has been rushed back into the South African squad for the final Test against Australia starting in Sydney on Wednesday in a last-ditch move to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

The South African management said Boje, just recovered from injury, had been added to the squad in response to a request from the tour selectors but wouldn't arrive in Australia until New Year's Day, just a day before the final Test is due to begin.

Boje, the team's most experi-

enced spinner, was an original

selection for the tour, but was forced to withdraw because of a knee problem, Claude Henderson replacing him.

Boje's late inclusion suggests the Proteas are planning to play two spinners on the turn-friendly Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) wicket although they would not confirm it. Their scheduled training session on arrival in Sydney was cancelled.

South African team manager Goolam Rajah said the Proteas were feeling down after losing the first two matches of the three-game series but were determined to turn things around. "It's not the end of the world. We've just got to pick up the pieces and get stuck in," he said.

The Australians are also keeping their cards close to their chest, coach John Buchanan telling reporters the decision on whether to include leg spinner Stuart MacGill would have to wait.

MacGill has not played Test cricket for a year but was added to the squad for Sydney, prompting speculation he may bowl in tandem with Shane Warne.

"(The SCG wicket) has shown that it has provided help for the seamers this year, as well as for the spin, so probably by the afternoon of New Year's Day we'll be a bit closer to the final 12," Buchanan said.

MacGill said he was hopeful of playing because of his past record in Sydney but said he wasn't taking anything for granted.

The New South Wales wrist spinner took 12 for 104 against England at the SCG in January 1999 and seven for 44 against the West Indies in Sydney a year ago but hasn't played a Test since.

He was called into the squad for the first Test against South Africa in Adelaide only to be relegated to 12th man, then dropped for the second Test in Melbourne.

"It's not a foregone conclusion, but past form suggests I'd be a likely chance to play," MacGill said.

"At the SCG I've got a tremendous home advantage -- this is where I've taken most of my wickets and anyone doing their research would have noticed that."