Markram to lead against England

Aiden Markram, the captain of South Africa's Under-19 World Cup winning side in 2014, will lead a young Invitational XI against England in the opening match of their tour in Potchefstroom.

The three-day match, starting on December 14, will not have first-class status so both sides will be permitted to use their full squads. For England it is one of two three-day games before the opening Test in Durban on Boxing Day. The second match, also against an Invitational XI, in Pietermaritzburg, coincides with the opening round of Sunfoil four-day matches so it remains to be seen what strength opposition England will face ahead of the first Test.

Another eye-catching name in the Invitational squad side is paceman Junior Dala who has impressed since moving from Lions to Titans. He has taken 10 wickets in five one-day matches in the current South Africa domestic season and seven wickets in eight Ram Slam T20 outings. The 19-year-old fast bowler Andile Phehlukwayo, who has eight wickets in eight Ram Slam matches, is also included.

"The squad consists mainly of SA Academy Players plus a few who have just started to make their mark at franchise level," said CSA High Performance Manager, Vinnie Barnes. "It will be a wonderful opportunity for these players to show what they can do against world-class opposition."

SA Invitation XI Aiden Markram (capt), Gionne Koopman, Luthando Mnyanda, Zubayr Hamza, Somila Seyibokwe, Heinrich Klaasen, Simon Khomari , Andile Phehlukwayo, Johannes Diseko, Thandolwethu Mnyaka, Junior Dala, Ruben Claassen