Harris has 17 wickets from four first-class games this season

The 28-year-old replaces Nicky Boje, who was chosen for the first Test but then quit international cricket.

The selectors turned to Harris, who has played for Warwickshire, after Claude Henderson rejected a recall.

Henderson last played in 2002 and is now committed to a contract with English county side Leicestershire.

"Claude indicated to me that he was only prepared to play for South Africa if contracted by CSA [Cricket South Africa] and, as this would not be possible at an early stage, Claude confirmed his unavailability," said chief selector Haroon Lorgat.

"In keeping with the way the national system works, national contracts are only awarded once players have proven their worth through performances at international level."

Harris is a member of the Centurion-based Titans team and played for Warwickshire during the summer as a replacement when Daniel Vettori was injured.

"I thought my chances of playing for my country had passed," he said.

"I am thrilled at the opportunity Warwickshire CCC have given me and would like to thank them for their part in this upturn in my career.

If Harris plays in a Test, he would no longer be eligible to play for Warwickshire as a non-overseas player under the terms of the Kolpak ruling.

The South African selectors have also put fast bowler Morne Morkel on stand-by as cover for Dale Steyn and Andrew Hall.

They trail 1-0 in the three-match series following India's 123-run victory at Johannesburg.

Meanwhile, officials have issued an explanation for batsman Jacques Kallis's refusal to sing the national anthem before matches.

The matter was raised in a Sunday newspaper, which published the text of an e-mail sent by Kallis to a member of the public, who had questioned his silence.

In a statement, Cricket South Africa chief Gerald Majola said: "Jacques recently lost both his parents, and he was particularly close to his father who was his cricket mentor. They would often sing the anthem together.

"Jacques told me that he sings the anthem in his heart in a quiet moment in remembrance of his parents and in gratitude for what they did to allow him to be good enough to represent his country.

"He has great respect for the anthem and cherishes every moment he has represented South Africa around the world."