South Africa coach Stuart Baxter has announced his squad for the 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup -- a raft of up-and-coming talents to go with more established internationals.
The regional championship hosts open their campaign against the winner of Group A on July 2, with Angola, Malawi, Mauritius and East African guest nation Tanzania among their potential opponents.
Baxter's hands were tied to a certain extent by the fact that clubs are not obliged to release their players for the tournament, yet he has still managed to capture some exciting talents.
Defender Tercious Malepe, midfielder Lebogang Phiri and striker Judas Moseamedi all lifted the trophy with the side last year in Namibia, and return for the defence of their title.
Added to that, there are players with experience such as defenders Mario Booysen and Lorenzo Gordinho, who recently made his Bafana Bafana debut against Zambia, and midfielders Mandla Masango, Lehlohonolo Masalesa and Aubrey Ngoma.
A number of players who competed in the recent FIFA Under-20 World Cup in South Korea have also been named, including Sandile Mthethwa, Thabo Cele and striker Liam Jordan.
Then there are players who are coming off fine seasons in the domestic Premier Soccer League, such as Maritzburg United winger Lebogang Maboe and Lamontville Golden Arrows attacking midfielder Nduduzo Sibiya.
The one area where Baxter might feel he is thin is the goalkeeping department, where Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs) and Boalefa Pule (SuperSport United) have just a handful of first-team appearances between them.
South Africa are four-time winners of the Southern African championship, which was first played in 1997. Zimbabwe and Zambia also have four victories, Angola three and Namibia one.
South Africa squad:
Goalkeepers: Darren Johnson (Ajax Cape Town), Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs), Baolefa Pule (SuperSport United)
Defenders: Thendo Mukumela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sandile Mthethwa (Orlando Pirates), Mothobi Mvala (Highlands Park), Mario Booysen (SuperSport United), Tercious Malepe (Orlando Pirates), Innocent Maela (Thanda Royal Zulu), Lorenzo Gordinho (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielders: Thabo Cele (Real Clubbe FC), Lebogang Maboe (Maritzburg United), Sibongakonke Mbatha (Bidvest Wits), Nduduzo Sibiya (Golden Arrows), Mandla Masango (SuperSport United), Lehlohonolo Masalesa (Larrissa), Lebogang Phiri (EA Guingamp), Aubrey Ngoma (Cape Town City)
Forwards: Liam Jordan (Sporting Lisbon), Judas Moseamedi (Cape Town City)