Three uncapped players in SA women's squad for historic Zimbabwe tour

South Africa have included three uncapped players for their first-ever Women’s T20I series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on September 11. Laura Wolvaardt leads the squad, with maiden call-ups for Caitlin Wyngaard, the Titans seamer, along with U19 seamer Nthabiseng Nini and Titans off-spinner Luyanda Nzuza.

The team bears a significantly different look from the one that featured in the Women’s T20 World Cup in June and July. Along with Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke are the only ones from that squad set to travel to Zimbabwe. Several senior players have T20 commitments lined up, prompting fresh faces to be included.

Others in the squad for Zimbabwe who weren’t picked for the T20 World Cup are: Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase and Miane Smit.

Calling the tour an important one in the lead up to the Champions Trophy in February, head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said: “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.

“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.

All five T20Is will be played at the Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.

South Africa squad for Zimbabwe T20Is: Laura Wolvaardt (c), 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