Proteas Women gearing up for 'very special' tour to neighbours Zimbabwe

Wolvaardt will lead a youthful Proteas squad for the tour, with Annerie Dercksen, Karabo Meso and Kayla Reyneke the only other players in the group to have featured in the recent T20 World Cup 2026 in England.

The 15-player squad includes seven other previously capped players, including batters Anneke Bosch, Miane Smit and Faye Tunnicliffe, as well as Ayanda Hlubi, Eliz-Mari Marx and Nondumiso Shangase.

There are four uncapped players in the group, Titans duo Caitlin Wyngaard and Luyanda Nzuza, former SA U19 Women and Warriors seamer Nthabiseng Nini, along with Western Province Cobras wicketkeeper-batter Jae-Leigh Filander.

"It's very special for us. I think for as long as I've played, we haven't played against another African team," Wolvaardt said.

"It's pretty cool that we get to play some cricket against our neighbours. So I'm very excited to head over there."

For Wolvaardt, the youthful make-up of the squad has already brought a different energy to the Proteas environment, with the captain looking forward to seeing the players transfer what they have shown in camp onto the international stage.

The Proteas skipper added: "It's going to be awesome to see those youngsters just express themselves and play free cricket against a new opposition.

"Lots of talent here in the net. I'm keen to see how they all go in the games."

Proteas Women head coach Mandla Mashimbyi believes the upcoming series provides an ideal opportunity to assess the next generation of players as the team continues building towards its long-term objectives leading up to the end of the World Cup cycle in 2029.

With several nationally contracted players representing teams in domestic and franchise competitions around the world, the Zimbabwe series presents an opportunity for those involved to stake their claim for future selection, something Mashimbyi is particularly looking forward to.

"The purpose is quite simple. It's an opportunity for players to test their skills," Mashimbyi said. "An opportunity to give opportunities to the young players. And also for us to see where we are going forward in terms of the future of South African cricket.

"A couple of youngsters putting their hands up. Just to put a bit of pressure on the usual players that we take on tour on a normal basis.

"When you've got players that are putting their hands up and actually pushing the other players that we've always had in our squad, it's good for cricket as a whole in South Africa."