a Twenty20 match at North Sydney Oval next Sunday.

The 18-year-old's selection comes on the back of a promising domestic one-day debut with the Victorian Bushrangers against Queensland earlier this October.

Coming in at number seven in the batting order, the former East Ballarat junior looked comfortable at the crease to notch up 30 runs off 30 balls, including two boundaries.

Despite his impressive stint, Short said post-match that he did not expect to keep his spot in Victorian side for long, with David Hussey and Aaron Finch to return from national duties.

The all-rounder will line up alongside fellow young guns James Muirhead and Seb Gotch for South Africa's warm up to the three-match KFC T20 INTL series against Australia, beginning at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday, November 5.

Central Highlands regional cricket manager Campbell Waring said Short's progress shone as a beacon for other talented juniors in Victoria's south west.

"He's great for the region," Waring said.

"Matt's the first player that's ever been contracted directly out of our pathways

system.

"There's a great culture in our program and it's important to have quality players like Matt, so that others can see what's achievable."