South Africa's experienced wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta has been ruled out of their T20I tour to Zimbabwe after sustaining a hamstring injury in pre-tour testing.
Jafta was one of only five players who were part of the T20 World Cup squad - the others being Laura Wolvaardt, Annerie Dercksen, Kayla Reyneke and Karabo Meso - named for South Africa's inaugural visit to their neighbours, and her absence will mean even less experience in an already young squad.
In Jafta's absence, Meso, who has played eight T20Is for South Africa but none at the recent World Cup, is expected to take the gloves and should also bat in the top six. For Meso, this will be an opportunity to cement herself as the natural replacement for Jafta in future.
She will have some competition from 18-year old Jae-Leigh Filander, who has earned her maiden call-up. The teenager was part of the South Africa Under-19 side that toured Pakistan in July and has been playing age-group international cricket throughout 2026. Like Jafta, she has been batting in the lower order, at No.8.
South Africa depart for Bulawayo on Monday and will play five T20Is between September 11 and 19. Apart from Filander, there are three other uncapped players in the squad: fast bowlers Caitlin Wyngaard and Nthabiseng Nini, as well as off-spinner Luyanda Nzuza.