Maharaj is captaining the side for the first time in a Test against Zimbabwe. He said everyone wants to play against the World Champions.

“I think it's a little bit more of a sort of emphasis on making sure that we execute our details really well and just focus on that and whatever is thrown at us we'll just take it in our stride,” he said.

Maharaj is captaining a largely inexperienced side in a two match Test series in Zimbabwe, which started today in Bulawayo.

Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke has been named as the designated openers with Wiaan Mulder returning at number three, after having impressed in the second innings of the Ultimate Test.  

David Bedingham finds himself promoted to number four with debutant Lhuan-dré Pretorius, who has just seven first-class games to his name, in at number five. Dewald Brevis, who also makes his Test debut, is at number six.

‘Yusuf makes his Test debut’

Kyle Verreynne will keep the wickets and bat at seven, followed by a new-look bowling lineup featuring Corbin Bosch, Codi Yusuf and Kwena Maphaka, other than Maharaj. Among the three pacers, Yusuf makes his Test debut, while Bosch and Maphaka have featured in a Test before.

Maharaj said the Proteas had done their homework on in-form Zimbabwe players such as Brian Bennet and Blessing Muzarabani.

“I think we've obviously focused a little bit on him. We know he's got a bit of pace and you know he gets a lot of bounce and he's improved a lot since we played against him. I think it was 2019 if I'm not mistaken, the test match at PE. So yes, he's done really well so you know we identify him as one of our threats, but hopefully our game plans can sort of come on the other side of this.”

Zimbabwe have never beaten South Africa in a Test match, and have only won three Tests in the last decade.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger