Tahir and batsman Faf du Plessis were the new players in the squad. Allrounder Jacques Kallis was ruled out of the series after picking up a bruised rib and a side muscle strain in his first-innings 161 in this week’s third test against India at Newlands. The new caps were standout players in the recent 40-over domestic competition, with Tahir taking 15 wickets and Du Plessis compiling 567 runs at an average of 81.

“The absence of Jacques Kallis leaves a big gap in the side but at the same time it must be seen as an opportunity for somebody else,” said convener of selectors Andrew Hudson.

“Faf du Plessis has grabbed his opportunity this season. Both he and Tahir had outstanding MTN40 campaigns and we are looking forward to see how they take their games to the next level.”

The 31-year-old Tahir, a former Pakistan A player, qualified as a South African citizen only last week after meeting government and International Cricket Council regulations.

He is married to a South African and plays for the Durban-based Dolphins.

The well-travelled Tahir has also played for Hampshire, Middlesex, Warwickshire and Yorkshire in England and for two other South African teams – Easterns and the Titans.

Tahir was named in South Africa’s test squad in January 2010, only for Cricket South Africa to discover he was not yet eligible to play for the Proteas.

Du Plessis, 26, played for South Africa Under-19s alongside AB de Villiers and JP Duminy – who are also in the ODI squad.

The contest against India will be Graeme Smith’s last home ODI series as captain. Smith has said he will step down as skipper of South Africa’s one-day team after the upcoming World Cup in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The one-day series vs. India begins on Jan. 12 at Kingsmead in Durban – Tahir’s current home ground.

South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Johan Botha, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, Faf du Plessis, Colin Ingram, David Miller, Morne Morkel, Wayne Parnell, Robin Peterson, Dale Steyn, Imran Tahir, Lonwabo Tsotsobe.