Johannesburg, April 13 (NationPress) South Africa has awarded wicketkeeper batter Tebogo Macheke her inaugural international call-up, while also bringing back all-rounder Eliz Mari Marx in a 15-member squad to compete against India in a five-match T20I series scheduled from April 17 to 27.

This series against India serves as a pivotal opportunity for the Proteas before the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England, set for June. The initial two matches will take place in Durban on April 17 and 19, followed by two more in Johannesburg on April 22 and 25, culminating on April 27 in Benoni, which coincides with South Africa's Freedom Day.

Tebogo steps in for Karabo Meso, who is currently recovering from a wrist injury, while Eliz-Mari, with nine ODI and ten T20I caps, replaces seamer Masabata Klaas in the squad led by Laura Wolvaardt.

The core of the team remains intact from their recent tour of New Zealand, with Anneke Bosch maintaining her position after filling in for the injured Dané van Niekerk. “As the T20 World Cup approaches, this stage is critical for the team’s preparations for the global event,” stated Clinton du Preez, the Proteas Women Convenor of Selectors.

“Keeping a consistent group of players is vital at this juncture, enabling Coach Mandla and the squad to enhance team cohesion, experiment with combinations, and refine strategies for a successful World Cup.

“The addition of Eliz-Mari Marx adjusts the squad’s balance according to our requirements, offering diverse solutions to potential challenges posed by the opposition. Tebogo Macheke has demonstrated reliability and skill at both domestic and Emerging levels, earning her chance to make her mark in the national setup,” he added.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) further announced that seasoned seam-bowling all-rounder Marizanne Kapp remains unavailable due to ongoing recovery from an illness. “The turnaround is quick, but a home T20I series against India is always significant,” the coach remarked.

“The lineup is largely unchanged for this tour. While we've gained valuable insights about ourselves during the recent New Zealand tour, we are eager to return to the pitch and demonstrate our commitment to improvement with every match and training session.

“We are thrilled to include Eliz-Mari and Tebogo in the squad, and we are excited to see how they contribute as we continue our journey towards the T20 World Cup,” said head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.

South Africa squad: - Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Tebogo Macheke, Eliz-Mari Marx, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, and Chloé Tryon.