South Africa A

South Africa A exists to test players before handing them a Test cap. Its matches carry first-class and List A status rather than Test or one-day international recognition.

The team plays touring fixtures against other countries' 'A' sides rather than settling into one ground, though Senwes Park in Potchefstroom has become its most regular base, alongside the Tuks Oval in Pretoria. The first official match came in January 1994, against England A, two years after the side had been founded.

What the team is really for shows up in its alumni list. Graeme Smith led South Africa A before he ever captained the senior team. More recently, Kagiso Rabada, Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma followed the same route.