CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JANUARY 05: Temba Bavuma of South Africa celebrates his century during day four of the 2nd Test at Newlands Stadium on January 5, 2016 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

South Africa looks set to take a fully fit squad to the shores of Australia with Temba Bavuma and Rassie van der Dussen overcoming injury troubles to be included in the Proteas squad, with a three-match Test series awaiting them.

Bavuma and van Der Dussen add weight to a thinned-out batting top order that was vulnerable to the pace attack it encountered in England with two short-lived innings in their absence.

A fresh face has also been added to the lineup with Gerald Coetzee earning his right to be gifted an opportunity with a maiden red ball cap handed to him as a reward for last year's efforts topping the wickets chart.

The 22-year-old was a headline act in the under-age World Cup, starring with ball in hand, however, he is likely only to take a backseat this tour, on hand as a support role waiting in the wings of spearhead Kagiso Rabada and co.

Keshav Maharaj appears to have wavered any concern surrounding his groin injury that sidelined him from the T20 World Cup, with a clearance to play ahead of backup Simon Harmer.

With the World Test Championship around the corner, the top-of-the-table clash is of the upmost importance for both competing nations, with June 2023 the date set for the final in England.

National Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said: "We are pleased with the group of players that have been assembled for this tour. I think the selectors now have a core group of Proteas that has been built and it is just about building on what we have.

"Overall, all the players selected undoubtedly have the ability to play at the highest level, and evidence of that is our standing on the ICC World Test Championship table. We are confident that if they play to their ability, we can challenge Australia in their conditions."

South Africa vs Australia - Three match Test Series

Dec 17-21: 1st Test, Brisbane

Dec 26-30: 2nd Test, Melbourne

Jan 4-8: 3rd Test, Sydney

South Africa squad changes

In: Gerald Coetzee, Theunis de Bruyn, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, Heinrich Klaasen

Out: Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickleton, Lutho Sipamla

Squad: Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Gbets Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).