Richard Ngarava (lower back injury) and Ben Curran (finger fracture) are unavailable due to injury, while Victor Nyauchi has been left out for tactical reasons.
Uncapped paceman Kundai Matigimu earns his maiden Test call-up, while Prince Masvaure and Takudzwanashe Kaitano return to bolster the top order and spinner Vincent Masekesa has also been recalled.
The pace attack is further strengthened by the return of Trevor Gwandu, who has recovered from the groin injury that ended his England tour prematurely.
All eyes will be on fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani, who leads the attack with renewed confidence after recently becoming the joint-fastest Zimbabwean to reach 50 Test wickets and joining IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In the middle order, experienced campaigner Sean Williams brings stability, while rising star Brian Bennett – who smashed Zimbabwe's fastest Test century against England at Trent Bridge – will be keen to continue his sparkling form against the Proteas.
The Proteas will arrive in Zimbabwe in high spirits after their World Test Championship triumph over Australia at Lord's.
Zimbabwe Test squad: Craig Ervine (Captain), Brian Bennett, Tanaka Chivanga, Trevor Gwandu, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, Wessly Madhevere, Clive Madande, Vincent Masekesa, Wellington Masakadza, Prince Masvaure, Kundai Matigimu, Blessing Muzarabani, Newman Nyamhuri, Tafadzwa Tsiga, Nicholas Welch, Sean Williams
Wiaan Mulder hit a career-best 147 as the Proteas were bowled out for 369 in the second innings to set Zimbabwe a mammoth target of 537 with two days remaining of the first Test in Bulawayo.
South Africa lead Zimbabwe by 216 runs at the end of Day Two of their opening Test in Bulawayo.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius became the youngest player to score a Test century for the Proteas to help the visitors recover from 55-4 to post 418-9 at stumps on day one against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo.
Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Codi Yusuf will all make their Test debuts for the Proteas against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Saturday, stand-in captain Keshav Mahraj has confirmed.
