Follow UsSouth Africa will be without their star all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp, for the upcoming tri-series against Sri Lanka and India, starting April 27 (Sunday). The all-rounder has been rested for the series, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) keeping a close eye on her fitness as she "continues her conditioning block in preparation for the subsequent tours and the World Cup in India".
However, that has given opportunities to the likes of Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Miane Smit, all of whom have impressed the selectors over the past few months. While Naidu and Meso have already represented South Africa at the senior level, Smit has been travelling with the team during the T20 World Cup 2024.
Meanwhile, seamer Ayanda Hlubi, wicketkeeper Mieke de Ridder and opener Lara Goodall have been left out, with Nondumiso Shangase too earning herself a recall.
"It's a very good squad," head coach Mandla Mashimbyi said. "The mixture of youth and experience helps. It's an opportunity for these girls to show what they can do. Hopefully, whatever we've covered at the camp can be applied in Sri Lanka when we take the field.
"For me, it's not an opportunity for Karabo, Miane and Seshnie anymore. It's an opportunity for us to give them exposure at this level. Going forward and for the bigger picture, it's important that we expose them as much as possible to international cricket.
"This tour is an opportunity for us to check where the team is at. It's a work in progress. We want to get to a point where when we get to India in September [for the ODI World Cup], we are where we need to be as a team. But from a skill point of view, there's still a bit of work to do, and that's what we're busy with at the moment."
The tri-series, which begins on April 27, will give South Africa a prime opportunity to test themselves in similar conditions ahead of the ODI World Cup in India.
Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smitand, Chloe Tryon