FORMER St Albans City loanee Kgosi Ntlhe has been called up to the full South Africa squad for their forthcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Mozambique.

The teenage defender spent a month on loan at Clarence Park from Peterborough United last season playing in four Evo-Stik League matches and an FA Trophy tie to gain valuable senior football experience.

The move came about due to City boss David Howell’s friendship with Peterborough director of football Barry Fry, Howell coached under Fry at Barnet, Southend United and Birmingham City.

Howell told The Herts Advertiser: “When Kgosi came to us he had had a horrendous injury.

“Peterborough wanted him to come here to get over it mentally by getting some physical football rather than playing against under-18s.

“He impressed me and did really well with us.

“He’s a tenacious player, he’s not the biggest but has a good spring, is very quick, has good distribution and talks on the pitch like a senior pro.

“However little time he spent with us I hope we helped with his development.”

Ntlhe returned to London Road as back-up for Darren Ferguson’s first team and went on to make his Posh debut in April.

Ntlhe is a debutant call-up to the Bafana Bafana squad, which is captained by Everton midfielder Steven Pienaar.

South Africa are to face five-time World Cup winners Brazil on September 7 in Sao Paolo

The Brazil squad, which coincidentally stayed in St Albans ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games, has also been announced with the likes of Real Madrid’s Marcelo, Barcelona’s Dani Alves and Santos star Neymar all included.

South Africa will then take on Mozambique a week later at the Mbombela Stadium, one of the arenas used during the 2010 World Cup.