Nine new Hurricanes have been included in the squad to prepare for their opening two matches of the Investec Super Rugby season.

Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd has named 27 players to travel to South Africa and Argentina to face the Bulls and the Jaguares.

Included in the touring squad for the first time are props Toby Smith and Alex Fidow, halfback Jamie Booth and first five-eighths Ihaia West and Jackson Garden-Bachop.

Fellow first five-eighth Beauden Barrett will join the squad in Pretoria. 

Wing Jonah Lowe has also been included following his excellent pre-season form.

Boyd said it had been a difficult selection process for the final make-up of the squad following their pre-season campaign that ended on Thursday with a 26-14 win over the Blues.

Brad Shields has been named captain in the absence of Dane Coles.

The Hurricanes squad for South Africa and Argentina is:

Forwards; Toby Smith, Chris Eves, Ben May, Fraser Armstrong, Alex Fidow, Ricky Riccitelli, James O'Rielly, Sam Lousi, Murray Douglas, Michael Fatialofa, Vaea Fifita, Brad Shields (c), Ardie Savea, Gareth Evans, Blade Thomson; Backs, TJ Perenara, Jamie Booth, Beauden Barrett, Ihaia West, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso, Wes Goosen, Julian Savea, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Jonah Lowe.