The Proteas will feature a new look team for the series as several of the team stalwarts such as Kagiso Rabada, Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram are in India for the IPL.

The has forced the selectors to include the likes of Lizaad Williams, Daryn Dupavillon and Khaya Zondo, while retaining the seamer Glenton Stuurman and wicketkeeper/ batsman, Ryan Rickelton.

The Proteas skipper, Dean Elgar, said the players coming into the squad has his full backing.

“I'm pretty comfortable with the players that aren't here and I had some really good and detailed chats with those players to find out where they are mentally," Elgar said.

“I'm comfortable with the answers they have given me. Be that as it may, they’re not here, so we have to make do without them and the next best that we have in the country.

“I'm still very confident with them and while we've lost a few Test caps and not having those IPL players here, it's a great opportunity for the new guys to stand up and put the other players under pressure.

“I'm pretty confident that they can do that.”

Play at Kingsmead is scheduled to start on at 10:00 in Thursday morning.

Proteas squad - Dean Elgar (captain), Temba Bavuma, Daryn Dupavillon, Sarel Erwee, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Wiaan Mulder, Duanne Olivier, Keegan Petersen, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Lizaad Williams, Khaya Zondo.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport