Mark Boucher has made a shock return to the South Africa squad for the fourth Test against England starting in Johannesburg on Thursday.
The 28-year-old got the call after South Africa crushed England by 196 runs in Cape Town on Thursday to level the five-match series 1-1.
Boucher played the last 74 of his 76 Tests consecutively before he was dropped in favour of Thami Tsolekile for South Africa's tour to India in November.
"I'm absolutely delighted, but also quite shocked to be recalled now," Boucher told Reuters from Centurion, where he was playing for the Warriors against the Titans in a SuperSport Series match.
"I thought my chance to be involved in the series had gone when I wasn't selected in the second and third Test squad because we had no domestic cricket.
"All I've been able to play over the festive season is beach cricket. I'd be lying if I didn't think at one stage that my international career might be over."
South Africa's selection convenor Haroot Lorgat explained Boucher's recall.
"With the series poised at 1-1 we wanted to bring more experience into the team," he told reporters.
"Whether he will be included just as a batsman or as a wicketkeeper will be debated."
Tsolekile had been sent back to provincial cricket to work on his batting, Lorgat added.
Tsolekile played both Tests in India and the first Test against England before making way for AB de Villiers, originally selected as an opening batsman, in the second Test.
Boucher takes Tsolekile's place in the only change to the 13-man squad. Fast bowler Charl Langeveldt, who fractured his left hand while batting in the third Test, was retained but will have a fitness test the day before the next Test.
Squad: Graeme Smith (captain), Nicky Boje, Mark Boucher, Hashim Amla, AB de Villiers, Boeta Dippenaar, Herschelle Gibbs, Andrew Hall, Jacques Kallis, Charl Langeveldt, Makhaya Ntini, Jacques Rudolph, Dale Steyn.
