Pete Steindl's new-look Saltires will today re-enter the T20 arena and try to emulate their last outing in the short form of the game.

The Scots haven't had any 20-over action since their stunning win over Bangladesh in July. But Steindl is hoping his side, with up to three new faces, can produce similar fireworks when they open their South African tour against Highveld Lions today.

He said: "The win over Bangladesh was undoubtedly the highlight of our summer and proved we can handle the demands of T20. Richie Berrington grabbed the headlines but it really was a team effort. Our fielding display was our best ever and I am looking for the guys to maintain these standards."

Richard Coughtrie, the Gloucestershire wicketkeeper, is poised for his debut and the Sussex batsman, Matt Machan, may also make a first start. They qualify under the ICC's new guidelines on the parentage rule as do David Murphy of Northants and Leicestershire's Rob Taylor, who will fly out later this week.

Michael Leask, the Stoneywood-Dyce batsman, may have to wait for his bow after a scheduled match with Kolkata Knight Riders was put back 24 hours. The Scots had been due to open the tour with two matches on the same day in which case Steindl would have fielded all 13 players .

"We'll wait to see how the guys are in the morning before deciding who will play," he said. "In some ways, it suits us to play only one game on the first day as most of the players have had a few weeks off and we've had just one day to prepare since arriving."

The knock-on effect is that a three-day match against North West Dragons, due to start tomorrow, is likely to be downgraded.