James Slipper’s road to redemption is complete after the veteran Wallabies prop was named to take on South Africa in Saturday’s Rugby Championship opener in Johannesburg.

A little over a year ago, Slipper’s 86-Test career looked in tatters when he was suspended for two months and heavily fined for twice testing positive to cocaine.

He was subsequently booted from Queensland after more than 100 games.

It emerged the 30-year-old had been battling mental health demons stemming from a serious leg injury and his mother’s cancer diagnosis.

Slipper found a new home with the Brumbies and with his Wallabies recall, said his love of rugby was back.

“My enjoyment of playing rugby has come back; I’m really loving it and I think that’s really important to perform,” Slipper said.

“It’s definitely humbling to be back in the Wallabies as there was a point there where I didn’t see it happening and that’s what makes it special.

“I just want to go out there and do my job for the team and that’s the best way I can pay back Chek (coach Michael Cheika) and the selectors.”

The prop said the unwavering support of his family had helped him through a “pretty dark time”, as well as the Brumbies offering a fresh start.

Splitting game time with fellow front-rower Scott Sio, the impact of the duo proved a key to the Brumbies’ surge into the Super Rugby semi-finals.

“Going down to Canberra and changing the scenery was really good,” Slipper said.

“Getting a new look on how to play the game with the Brumbies was refreshing.”

The Ellis Park Test on Saturday is Slipper’s first since December 2016 and with the Wallabies front-row stocks decimated by injury, he will carry a heavy load against a burly Boks outfit who pride themselves on their set piece.

Fellow looseheads Sio (adductor) and Tom Robertson (ankle) were sent home midweek from Johannesburg while his Brumbies teammate Alan Alaalatoa (foot) was also ruled out.

Waratahs rookie Harry Johnson-Holmes, 22, was rushed from Australia to be included on the bench.

Cheika said he was delighted to have Slipper back on board and backed him to deliver on the big stage again.

“James has been outstanding all year in Super Rugby with the Brumbies and has well and truly deserved his spot,” Cheika said.

“When I first came into this team as the coach Slips was a player who I really counted on for his honesty and the way he approached everything so to have him back gives me a lot of pleasure.”