Twenty-year-old Phillip Hughes will replace retired opener Matthew Hayden [Images] in Australia's [Images] squad for the three-Test tour of South Africa [Images].

The left-hander, who has scored four hundreds, including a highest score of 198 for New South Wales, has aggregated 891 runs @ 74.25, this season.

Hayden retired after the recent series in Australia, which South Africa won 2-1.

The squad includes three other uncapped players in fast bowler Ben Hilfenhaus [Images], batsman Marcus North and 36-year-old leg-spinner Bryce McGain.

With fast bowlers Brett Lee [Images] and Stuart Clarke unavailable because of injuries and troubled all-rounder Andrew Symonds [Images] declared unavailable for selection until the completion of his counselling and rehabilitation, the squad is perhaps the most inexperienced to tour in two decades.

Australia play a three-day game against South Africa A from February 20 to 22 before the first Test in Johannesburg on February 26.

The squad: Ricky Ponting [Images] (captain), Michael Clarke [Images] (vice-captain), Doug Bollinger, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz [Images], Ben Hilfenhaus, Phillip Hughes, Michael Hussey [Images], Mitchell Johnson [Images], Simon Katich [Images], Andrew McDonald, Bryce McGain, Marcus North, Peter Siddle [Images].