Lungi Ngidi highlights importance of Tri-Nations Series in Proteas' 2026 T20 World Cup journey

Proteas fast bowler Lungi Ngidi emphasised that the team is using the Tri-Nations Series in Zimbabwe as a stepping-stone to next year's ICC T20 World Cup.

The Proteas are preparing for the final of the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand in Harare on Saturday. South Africa have won two out of the four fixtures that they have played in Zimbabwe, beating the hosts twice and losing their other two matches against the Black Caps.

Despite the side missing key players such as T20I captain Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, Ngidi highlighted that the team is using the ongoing Tri-Nations Series as preparation for next year's ICC T20 World Cup in India.

The 29-year-old emphasised that South Africa need to fix their errors to beat New Zealand at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday (1pm start).

"We're working towards the T20 World Cup, but one thing that was made clear by the coach is that we take it one series at a time. That's the bigger picture, but there's always a process leading up to that, and that's what we're currently on the verge of," Ngidi told the media on Friday.

"(We want to) take it one game at a time and you fix the errors along the way before the big show. But the most important thing that the coach has told us not to look too far ahead and face the challenges that are currently in front of us.

"Tomorrow is another one of those challenges, to be able to come out on top against probably a full-strength New Zealand team. We've got a couple of youngsters here. (Winning the series) would be a massive positive for us going forward."

Ngidi is the senior player in the current squad and the 29-year-old told the media that he is currently enjoying the energy the youth players have brought into the T20I team.

The fast bowler is currently in good form, having put in an impressive performance in last month's World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's.

"It's a lot of fun playing with a young group of guys. The energy is really high, and they really want to do well on the back of what we've just recently achieved (in the WTC Final). Everyone's got that feeling that they also would like to achieve something great," said Ngidi.

"Their debuts and the opportunities that they get, they're really looking to make their own name. So it has been exciting in that sense. Myself, personally, I think it's just about continuing from where I left off. I think I'm in a good space right now and I'm trying to just keep improving on my numbers in T20 cricket.

"It's always an honour and a pleasure to play for South Africa. So, never take that lightly. But I think the most important thing is just to keep perfecting my game and obviously putting your hand up for when those ICC tournaments come around."