Zim tour an opportunity for youngsters to shine – Mandla Mashimbyi

Mashimbyi is missing most of his regulars for the five-match T20 International series in Bulawayo starting this Friday, with some rested while others have other league commitments around the world.

Mashimbyi says this gives the players earmarked for the future an opportunity to test themselves and how they perform under intense pressure.

"Yeah, I mean the purpose is quite simple. It's an opportunity for players to test their skills and for young players to see where we stand regarding the future of South African cricket," said Mashimbyi .

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"That's why it's important that we ensure the people we have earmarked going forward will have the opportunity to go out there and really showcase what they can do and how they can actually play cricket under pressure. In international cricket, it doesn't really matter who we play against; there are always these peripheral things you need to think about."

He continued to reiterate that preparations for the 2029 ICC Women’s World Cup are well and truly underway, and the players on this tour are those they’re hoping will stake a claim in the squad leading up to that.

Seamers Caitlin Wyngaard and Nthabiseng Nini, as well as off-spinner Luyanda Nzuza have earned their maiden call-ups with the likes of Marizanne Kapp, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, and Nadine de Klerk all sitting the tour out. Mashimbyi says he would love to see the fresh faces putting pressure on the experienced heads to create competition for spots in the team.