JUBA (AFP) - South Sudanese government forces on Saturday recaptured the key town of Bor, defeating an army of thousands of rebels, an army spokesman said.

"Today the the gallant SPLA forces entered Bor, they have defeated more than 15,000 forces of (rebel leader) Riek Machar and frustrated his plans to attack Juba," army spokesman Philip Aguer told reporters.

Bor is the capital of Jonglei State and situated 200km north of the capital Juba.