 Hughes was named Australia's Young Player of the Year on Tuesday
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Australia have called up 20-year-old opening batsman Phillip Hughes for the forthcoming tour to South Africa.
He takes the place of Matthew Hayden, who retired after the recent series in Australia, which South Africa won 2-1.
Hughes made a century in last year's Pura Cup final while still a teenager and averages 57 in first-class cricket.
The squad includes three other uncapped players in fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, batsman Marcus North and 36-year-old leg-spinner Bryce McGain.
With pacemen Brett Lee and Stuart Clarke unavailable because of injuries and all-rounder Andrew Symonds not considered after being ordered to undergo counselling and rehabilitation, it is an inexperienced squad.
And the selectors are hoping that Hughes can rise to the challenge as the team tries to avenge their recent home defeat by Graeme Smith's side.
His claims had been publicly championed by captain Ricky Ponting and former skipper Steve Waugh in the past few days, and he was named Australia's Young Player of the Year and a ceremony on Tuesday.
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"It is one of the most exciting things I have had the pleasure of doing since being a selector in naming Phillip Hughes in the Test touring squad," chief selector Andrew Hilditch commented.
"From the time of his century in the final last season and through this year, he has played extremely well and we are confident that he is someone with the potential to have a long international career.
"I don't suppose the introduction could be any tougher for a young opening batsman, but he will be surrounded by experienced batsmen and we are confident he will meet the challenge."
Hughes was preferred to the more experienced Phil Jaques, who has made three Test centuries but has only just returned to state cricket following surgery on his back, and has the chance of playing in this summer's Ashes series in England as an added incentive.
The other intriguing selection is that of McGain, who was chosen for last year's tour to India but had to return home because of a shoulder injury, and he will compete for a place in the Test side with off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.
 McGain hopes to make a belated Test debut in South Africa
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He continued: "We are very pleased with his progress following surgery. In his return match for Victoria, he took five wickets in the second innings and bowled extremely well."
North, 29, has been given his chance after being a regular member of the Australia A team for several years.
He could fill the middle-order slot normally occupied by Symonds, but will first have to oust Andrew McDonald, who made his debut in the third Test in Sydney last month.
"While Marcus is still a young man, he has had over eight years of first-class experience. He has been added to the squad both because of his strong batting form this season and his ability to bowl off-spin, which adds greatly to the flexibility of the squad," Hilditch explained.
In the absence of Lee and Clark, left-armer Mitchell Johnson will spearhead the pace attack, supported by Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger, who have just five Test caps between them, and Hilfenhaus.
"Whilst the experience of Brett Lee and Stuart Clark will be sorely missed, it does create great opportunities for these young men," Hilditch added.
Australia will play a three-day game against South Africa A from 20-22 February before beginning the first match of the three-Test series in Johannesburg four days later.
Australia squad: R Ponting (capt), M Clarke, D Bollinger, B Haddin, N Hauritz, B Hilfenhaus, P Hughes, M Hussey, M Johnson, S Katich, A McDonald, B McGain, M North, P Siddle.
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