JOHANNESBURG, Nov 2: Veteran all-rounder Shaun Pollock was on Friday recalled to the South African squad for the first Test against New Zealand starting at the Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.

Pollock, 34, was dropped for the first time in his 107-Test career for the recent two-match away series in which South Africa beat Pakistan 1-0.

Selection convenor Joubert Strydom named a 12-man squad, adding Pollock to the 11 players who played in the two Tests in Pakistan last month.

“The team deserves a full vote of confidence after their magnificent series win in Pakistan,” said Strydom.

But Pollock, who claimed 416 wickets, is likely to return to the starting line-up in conditions which are more likely to help him than the slow pitches of Pakistan.

Squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Ashwell Prince (vice-captain), Herschelle Gibbs, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, A.B. de Villiers, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Paul Harris, Andre Nel, Dale Steyn, Makhaya Ntini.