Tsotsobe (right) is a prolific wicket-taker in domestic cricket

South Africa have included uncapped pace bowler Lonwabo Tsotsobe in their squad for the Test series in Australia, which starts next month.

The 24-year-old left-armer, who has played for South Africa A, is the only new face in a 15-man tour party.

He has been given his chance after taking 16 wickets for Eastern Cape Warriors this season.

South Africa have never won a Test series in Australia and were beaten 2-0 on their last tour in 2005-06.

But with a number of Australia's star players, including Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist, having retired in the past couple of years, the Proteas feel they have an excellent opportunity to break their duck.

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They have a settled batting line-up led by captain Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis and a hostile seam attack, spearheaded by Dale Steyn, who is the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket this year.

"We will go to Australia as a mature team in a settled environment. Everyone knows their roles and we have a clear goal in mind.

"I have no doubt we will be able to meet the challenges we find there," said Smith.

They are without Andre Nel, who is recovering from knee surgery, and his absence has given Tsotsobe his his first chance at senior international level.

"We have felt for some time that we need to explore the left-arm swing variety to add an extra dimension to our attack and Lonwabo Tsotsobe made a good impression at the recent national camp we held in Kimberley," said Craig Matthews, the acting convenor of selectors.

First-choice spin bowler Paul Harris suffered a broken thumb in the first Test against Bangladesh at Bloemfontein, which finished on Saturday with South Africa winning by an innings and 129 runs.

He has been named in the squad but the selectors have also included Robin Peterson, another slow left-armer, as cover.

"We have maintained the policy of consistency that has served us well over the last couple of years.

"The starting line-up chooses itself and we feel we have good cover for all eventualities," Matthews added.

South Africa squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince (vice-captain), Hashim Amla, Mark Boucher, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Paul Harris, Jacques Kallis, Neil McKenzie, Morne Morkel, Makhaya Ntini, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Monde Zondeki.

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