Yusuf prepares for 'most important game' of career

NOW that the ICC World Test Championship celebrations are over, the Proteas Test team switch focus to this week's first of two Test matches against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

- ONGAMA GCWABE

The series falls outside the new World Test Championship cycle. However, it still carries significant weight as South Africa's fringe players will get a taste of Test cricket, further widening the talent pool for head coach Shukri Conrad to choose from for the 14 Tests that lie ahead in the new cycle.

Five key Test players will be rested for the series, including Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen. In addition, captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during the WTC final at Lord's earlier this month. With most of the experienced heads sitting out the Zimbabwe tour, the likes of Codi Yusuf have earned their maiden Test call-ups, alongside Lesego Senokwane and Lhuan-dré Pretorius.

Yusuf, who enjoyed an impressive domestic season for the Lions and a stint with Durham in the County Championship, is well aware of the magnitude of the opportunity.