The Proteas have been hit with a triple blow ahead of what is their first Test in eights years with their two front-line seamers, Shabnim Ismail and Ayabonga Khaka, being ruled out, while the all-rounder Chloe Tryon is also not up for selection.

Ismail is suffering from a shin injury, while Tryon is nursing a hip niggle.

The captain Suné Luus said it’s a big blow not to have Ismail, Khaka and Tryon available, but it’s an opportunity for the new faces to stake a claim during the warm-up match against England A in Arundel.

“We still have an amazing team and we come off a great warm-up match where some of the younger players really performed and raised their hands.

“I'm still very excited for the Test and to see what the new players can do.

“I guess we are all new to Test cricket, so it is going to be something different for all of us.

“It's still very exciting and I am very excited for all of the younger players coming through.”

Play in Taunton is scheduled to get underway on Monday at noon.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport