Young Proteas squad named for historic Zimbabwe series

South Africa have selected three uncapped players for their first-ever women’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, giving Caitlin Wyngaard, Nthabiseng Nini and Luyanda Nzuza an opportunity to make their international debuts.

Wyngaard, a seamer from the Titans, joins Nini, an U19 seamer, and Titans off-spinner Nzuza in a squad that has a significantly different appearance from the group that represented South Africa at the Women’s T20 World Cup in June and July.

Laura Wolvaardt will lead the 15-player squad. Only Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke were also selected for the World Cup, while a number of senior players are unavailable because of commitments in franchise leagues around the world.

Pathway performers earn international opportunity

The squad also includes Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase and Miane Smit, all of whom were not picked for South Africa’s World Cup squad.

Head coach Mandla Mashimbyi described the tour as an important step toward the Champions Trophy in February and said the absences created an opportunity to test players coming through the national pathway.

“With a number of players away representing South Africa in franchise leagues across the world, we saw it fitting to select a young and ambitious squad and provide international opportunities to notable performers within the pipeline and pathway structure to the Proteas,” Mashimbyi said.

He added that the coaching staff had monitored Nini, Nzuza and Wyngaard closely over the previous 12 to 18 months and was looking forward to seeing them take their first steps on the international stage.

“Nini, Nzuza and Wyngaard are youngsters whose development we’ve kept a close eye on over the last 12-18 months, and I can’t wait to see what they will bring to the international stage,” Mashimbyi said.

Five matches scheduled in Bulawayo

The five-match T20I series will begin on September 11, with every match scheduled to take place at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini, Luyanda Nzuza, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe and Caitlin Wyngaard.