South Africa will have to make do without the services of the in-form and seasoned all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp, for the quadrennial event.

Kapp returned to South Africa last week already in order to deal with a family emergency.

The coach, Hilton Moreeng, said the absence of Kapp is a blow, but he has confidence in his younger players.

“Regarding Marizanne, she will be out of the Commonwealth Games.

“So, we respect their decisions but at the end of the day it gave opportunities to youngsters to be able to put up their hands. 

“We are very excited by what we're seeing. Yes, the results are not there yet but we are taking a lot of things, a lot of homework to be done, because bilateral tours like this give you an indication of where you are as a squad.

“We also are a squad in transition, we are not going to lose sight of that. If you look at our bowlers, the ages they are at, youngsters are going to start coming in. They have given us good years.”

South Africa will face New Zealand at 13:00 on Saturday at Edgbaston in Birmingham.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport