AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn make their long-awaited return to the Proteas Test squad for the day-night four-day match against Zimbabwe.

The Test will be played at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth from 26 December.

De Villiers’ last Test was against England at Centurion Park during January 2016, while Steyn has been recovering from a serious shoulder injury suffered against Australia at Perth over a year ago.

Vernon Philander is also back in the Proteas squad after missing the most recent series against Bangladesh following an injury picked up during the England tour.

‘It is a very exciting moment not just for South Africa but for world cricket to have Dale and AB, two icons of the game, back in the multi-day format,’ said Cricket South Africa national selection panel convener Linda Zondi. ‘AB and Dale bring loads of experience to the side apart from being two of the South African all-time greats.

‘It is also good to have Vernon back and it is very encouraging that our four premium fast bowlers – Steyn, Philander, Kagiso Rabada and Morne Morkel – are all back in the selection mix.’

Proteas Test squad: Faf du Plessis (Titans, capt), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Temba Bavuma (Cape Cobras), Quinton de Kock (Titans), Theunis de Bruyn (Knights), AB de Villiers (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Dolphins), Vernon Philander (Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Dale Steyn (Titans).