Temba Bavuma is relishing a new Proteas Test era

Bavuma has taken over the captaincy from Dean Elgar, with the new broom looking to sweep clean and introducing several new faces to the Test scene.

Western Province opening batter Tony de Zorzi earned his maiden call-up, while the likes of Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickleton and Keegan Petersen return to the fold.

Bavuma, who has also since relinquished his T20 captaincy, believes this is the start of an exciting chapter for South Africa's red-ball game.

"I think it's exciting times for all the guys involved. It's a start of a new journey. We'd like to start on a clean slate and really go out there and play the way that we'd like to play. I think you are going to hear me say that a lot in terms of how we want to go about our business," he said.

The Proteas hopes of reaching the ICC World Test Championship finals were all but dashed following the series white-wash Down Under earlier this year, but Bavuma insists there is still motivation to do well against the West Indies.

"Having the opportunity to play for the Proteas is motivation enough. It's another opportunity for the guys to represent the country and inspire the nation. I don't think there's a bigger motivation than that, coming into the series against the West Indies, where we would obviously want to win the series and that's what we'll be aiming to do," he added.

Although he's no stranger to captaincy, the 32-year-old acknowledges it's not a one-man show and he will fittingly turn to his trusted colleagues – both senior or junior – to get the best out of the team.

"I think in terms of the leaders within the team, there are guys who've been around, who have been playing cricket for quite a while. So, I'll definitely be leaning on those guys in terms of knowledge and ensuring that we are all speaking the same language in what we are trying to build. We also have young guys as well who are potential leaders within the team," he concluded.