The Potchefstroom-born Lhuan-Dré Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka are still teenagers, while Dewald Brevis is just 22 years old. The Proteas are taking a page from what Rassie Erasmus has done with the Springboks, who’ve built such incredible depth that the back-to-back World Champions can field two world-class teams on any given day.

While the Proteas are still some way off from what Erasmus has achieved with the Boks, they are in Zimbabwe without several of their biggest names – Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Aiden Markram, Temba Bavuma ... to name just a few.

Lhuan-Dré Pretorius. Photo: Morgan Piek

They did lose their previous match by 21 runs to New Zealand, but even that was a valuable learning curve for the younger, less experienced players.

Van der Dussen, a senior figure in the squad, told OFM Sport that the goal is for the younger players to challenge the veterans, raising the overall standard of the team.

“I think that’s a great point. The young guys coming through now are really knocking on the door – either through their performances or the way they go about their business,” said Van der Dussen.

“Take Lhuan-Dré, for example. He might not even have two full years of domestic cricket under his belt yet, but what he’s done for the Titans and in the SA20 shows you he belongs at this level.

“Then there’s Brevis – yes, he played a few T20s against Australia a while back, but it’s been his performances over the last six months that have really cemented his spot. He’s putting pressure on everyone in the middle.

“That’s the kind of competition we want. When I look at other countries, sometimes they don’t have that same depth. But here, as players and as a team, that positive pressure keeps you sharp. You want someone breathing down your neck because that’s fair – if you don’t perform, there’s someone ready to take your place.

Dewald Brevis. Photo: Morgan Piek

“That’s a healthy environment to be in. You can’t rest on your laurels because there’s always someone pushing hard for your spot.

“Whether it’s bowling, spin, fielding, keeping, or batting – in every department – guys are putting their hands up, saying, ‘Listen, I want to be part of this team. I want to stake my claim.’ And that keeps us all on our toes. That hunger from the guys behind you is crucial.

“When we come here, it doesn’t feel like anyone’s missing. In our prep, we walk around knowing that even if Aiden, David, or KG aren’t here, the guys who are in the team now have earned their place. They’re taking ownership of the series.”

Sunday’s match between Zimbabwe and South Africa at Harare Sports Club is scheduled to start at 13:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg