For England, who will wear trousers for the first time in their 70-year history, the match starts their preparations for the defence of the World Cup in India in Dec ember.

The tourists, who had never played a one-day international before, have already had three victories over Ireland and a five-run win against England Under-21s on Tuesday.

``This is a very important trip for us,'' said their coach and former West Indies vice-captain, Conrad Hunte. ``We'll be playing to win but that's not a priority. We need to work as a unit, bowl line and length and build partnerships.''

Hunte, who played in 44 Tests, points out that cricket is the fastest-growing women's sport in South Africa.

Karen Smithies retains the England captaincy, and although opener Jan Brittin is unavailable for the first three games, Charlotte Edwards, 17, has been in superb form with the bat this season. Another teenager, all-rounder Laura MacLeod, is expected to make her senior debut.

England (from): K Smithies, capt, J Cassar (E Midlands), S Metcalfe, K Leng, B Nicholson, H Plimmer, M Reynard, C Taylor (Yorkshire), J Brittin (Surrey), C Connor (Sussex), B Daniels (W Midlands), L MacLeod (Lancashire & Cheshire), C Edwards, L Pearson (East Anglia), S Redfern (Derbyshire).

South Africa (from): K Price, capt, H Davies, A Kuylaars, D Reid (W Province), L Olivier, A Kotze, K Laing, D Terblanche (Transvaal), A Bezuidenhout (N W Province), A Burger (N Transvaal), C Eksteen, D Hughes, L Korkie (Free State), L Sing, R Stoop (Kwazulu Natal).