Highveld Lions batsman Rassie van der Dussen has been given the chance to play himself into the Proteas World Cup squad.
The explosive big-hitter starred for the Jozi Stars as they won the inaugural Mzansi Super League last year.
And with a T20 fifty to his name in one of only two internationals for South Africa, Van der Dussen was Thursday named the only new cap in the Proteas 14-man squad for the first two ODI matches against Pakistan to be played later this month.
The squad will then be revised for the remaining three matches with Dane Paterson recalled and Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris rested.
CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi says: “We need to look at all the options available to us as we get closer to selecting our final squad for this year’s World Cup. And Rassie and Dane are two players who have been knocking strongly on the door in all formats.
“Those players who went to Australia and have not been selected for the first two matches – Farhaan Behardien, Aiden Markram and Chris Morris – are by no means out of the picture and they may well get further opportunities.
JP Duminy and Lungi Ngidi could not be considered because of injury.
Proteas ODI squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Dane Paterson, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn, Rassie van der Dussen.
FIXTURES
January 19:
Port Elizabeth (1 pm)
January 22:
Durban (1 pm)
January 25:
Centurion (1 pm)