Proteas coach Mark Boucher will use the three-match T20I series against England as trials for the World Cup in Australia in October.
The newly-appointed coach is yet to win a series after being named boss at the start of the England tour.
Despite winning the first Test at Newlands, the Proteas then lost the Test series 3-1 and also played to a 1-1 draw in the ODI series.
With this being Boucher's final shot at winning a series in this tour, the coach is not worried about his own record.
Instead, he wants gold in the T20 World Cup and will leave no stone unturned in getting it.
Boucher explains ahead of the first T20I, at Buffalo Park in East London tomorrow night: “White-ball cricket leading up to the World Cup is about giving opportunities to youngsters and seeing what they can do.
“We are looking ahead to the World Cup in Australia… and I do believe we’re headed in the right direction. The T20 side is going along those sorts of lines.”
Rested for the T20 series is regular captain Faf du Plessis, who Boucher says is still part of his plans.
PLOTTING: Mark Boucher. Picture: SAMUEL SHIVAMBU/BACKPAGEPIX
The coach explains: “Faf is still one of our best T20 players.
“He needs a break away from the game.
“The guys are on the road [a lot and are] playing a lot of cricket.
“Any opportunity to rest and give other guys opportunities to see what they’re all about, [we’ll take].”
Proteas:
Quinton de Kock (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon (possible debutant), Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Beuran Hendricks, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Sisanda Magala (possible debutant), Bjorn Fortuin, Dale Steyn and Heinrich Klaasen.
dudley.carstens@inl.co.za