Young Kiwi Rachin Ravindra made a return to the Test side after a gap of two years as New Zealand announced the squad for the series against South Africa.
Ravindra's recall comes on the back of a dependable performance in limited overs games.
The 24-year-old was New Zealand's top run-scorer with 578 runs at the 2023 Cricket World Cup and went on to win ICC's Emerging Player of the Year award.
Meanwhile, former skipper Kane Williamson has been named in the squad following a hamstring injury that sidelined him in the T20Is against Pakistan earlier in the month.
Canterbury pacer Will O'Rourke has received a maiden call-up for the second Test.
New Zealand and South Africa will play a 2-match Test series starting February 4, 2024 where the Kiwis will strive for their first Test series win over a second-string Proteas.
New Zealand Squad:
Tim Southee (c), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Will O'Rourke (second test only), Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young