Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt is hoping the country's next generation of players can “express themselves” in the upcoming series against African neighbours Zimbabwe.
The Proteas have opted to rest the core of their regular squad in a bid to provide opportunities for a group of young and inexperienced players, with an emphasis on building depth for the future.
The touring group includes four uncapped youngsters: Titans fast bowler Caitlin Wyngaard and all-rounder Luyanda Nzuza, former SA U19 Women and Warriors seamer Nthabiseng Nini, along with Western Province Cobras wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander, who received a late call-up following Sinalo Jafta’s hamstring injury.
Along with Wolvaardt, the only other players to feature in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the UK are Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso, and Kayla Reyneke.
"I feel like the youngsters bring so much energy to the group. We've had a really good couple of days here training," Wolvaardt said.
"The energy and just the eagerness to learn has been awesome to see. It's going to be awesome to see those youngsters just express themselves and play free cricket against a new opposition." Lots of talent here in the nets. I'm keen to see how they all go in the games. I think it's full steam ahead now for Zimbabwe."
Similar to the Proteas Men’s African safari in Namibia at the moment, Wolvaardt is excited by the prospect of facing South Africa’s northern neighbours in a five-match T20I series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
"It's very special for us," Wolvaardt said. "I think for as long as I've played, we haven't played against another African team
"It's pretty cool that we get to play some cricket against our neighbours. So, I'm very excited to head over there. I've never been there before.
"I think a lot of the people in our group haven't been there, so it's always a cool experience getting to play in new conditions, new stadiums, and playing against new opposition."
PROTEAS WOMEN'S T20I SQUAD AGAINST ZIMBABWE
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Annerie Dercksen, Jae-Leigh Filander*, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu, Nthabiseng Nini*, Luyanda Nzuza*, Kayla Reyneke, Nondumiso Shangase, Miané Smit, Faye Tunnicliffe, and *Caitlin Wyngaard (* — Uncapped)
T20I FIXTURES
- Friday: First T20I v Zimbabwe
- Sunday: Second T20I v Zimbabwe
- Tuesday, September 15: Third T20I v Zimbabwe
- Thursday, September 17: Fourth T20I v Zimbabwe
- Saturday, September 19: Fifth T20I v Zimbabwe
All matches at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo @ 1.30pm