Mashimbyi has included three debutants in the 15-player youthful squad in the form of Caitlin Wyngaard, Nthabiseng Nini, and Luyanda Nzuza, who all gave glowing performances for the SA Emerging side in the recent tour against Bangladesh Emerging.

He says the selected squad is not only about resting the core players in the team, but also to get as many players as possible ready for bigger assignments.

"When there's a chance for us to give opportunities to players we should take them, but at the same time, all 35 names we are considering are all eligible to compete for the Champions Trophy. I need to see where certain players are at and they need to put in good performances to put other players under pressure. Unlike before, we are in a great position now where we have youngsters who can push the current crop of Proteas players."

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With Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke already looking to be fixtures in the team, Mashimbyi and the selectors have brought back other former U19 stars in Seshnie Naidu and Miané Smit.

At the same time, there’s an injection of experience with captain Laura Wolvaardt, Sinalo Jafta, Anneke Bosch, Eliz-Mari Marx , Nondumiso Shangase, and Ayanda Hlubi also included.

Mashimbyi says everything they do now is with an eye on the 2029 ICC Women’s World Cup.

Another player returning to the Proteas Women is Faye Tunnicliffe, who was not able to cement her place previously within the team. The coach says they just could not turn a blind eye to her performances both domestically and for the Emerging side.

"You can never say never to a player who consistently dominates domestically. Maybe there is something missing in their game when they get to the international level, but we have to keep on granting opportunities in the hopes that she finds that missing thing at the international level, but if there was one thing I did enjoy to see was her mindset throughout the emerging tour."

While the gap in experience between them and Zimbabwe will be considerable, Mashimbyi says the Proteas Women will respect their opponents and give the full intensity they would to any other major team they face.

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