Rassie van der Dussen embraces new era as Proteas blood fresh talent for T20 Tri-Series

In the absence of regular captain Aiden Markram and other senior players such as Kagiso Rabada, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton - all rested for this tour - Rassie van der Dussen will take the reins of a restructured squad featuring four debutants.

The selectors have rewarded consistent domestic form with first international call-ups for Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dre Pretorius (both from the Titans), Rubin Hermann (North West Dragons), and Senuran Muthusamy (Warriors).

"We've got four new players who've really earned this opportunity through performances over the past 12 to 18 months," Van der Dussen said during a media briefing from Harare. "It's exciting to see what they can bring to the international stage."

The spotlight will undoubtedly be on 19-year-old Pretorius, who made headlines earlier this year with a century (153) on Test debut. The versatile right-hander is being touted as one of South Africa's most promising prospects.

"He's a naturally gifted player with real flair," Van der Dussen said. "What's impressive is how quickly he adjusts across formats. He's calm, composed, and has a solid cricketing brain."

This series also marks the first outing for Test coach Shukri Conrad in charge of the white-ball setup, stepping in on an interim basis following Rob Walter's absence. Conrad, known for his no-nonsense approach, is already making his presence felt.

"It's refreshing to work with someone like Shukri," Van der Dussen added. "He's very clear in his messaging and brings a relaxed but focused atmosphere to the group. He's admitted to feeling some nerves ahead of his first T20 as coach, but that shows how much he cares."

The Tri-Series offers South Africa a valuable opportunity to assess emerging talent ahead of the next T20 World Cup cycle. With a blend of youth and experience, the Proteas will be aiming to strike a balance between long-term development and short-term success.