Dale Steyn set for ODI return as South Africa play Zimbabwe, live on Sky Sports

Dale Steyn is poised for his first ODI appearance in two years as South Africa begin their three-match series at home to Zimbabwe in Kimberley on Sunday, live on Sky Sports Cricket.

Steyn, 35, last played a 50-over international against Australia in October 2016 but, having been blighted by injury since then, has returned to the squad after proving his fitness with Hampshire.

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The seamer is now aiming to nail down a spot ahead of the 2019 World Cup in England - but knows the embarrassment of riches the Proteas possess in the pace department means he could miss out.

"I'm feeling really good," said Steyn, who took 13 wickets across Hampshire's final two fixtures of the County Championship season.

"I would love to go to the World Cup, but individually I would love nothing more than to see the Proteas win a World Cup. And if that means that I don't go, then so be it."

Steyn is not guaranteed a starting berth against Zimbabwe with Kagiso Rabada now the spearhead of the attack, Lungi Ngidi bagging 10 wickets in four ODIs in Sri Lanka over the summer and all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo also in the squad.

"I think Lungi and KG would appreciate the fact that I'm coming back into the side because they would also know that their positions are under threat," added Steyn.

"You can only take a handful of fast bowlers to the World Cup and we're all fighting for a spot. I'm just happy to be here, playing cricket, pushing KG, pushing Lungi, pushing Andile."

South Africa have only 16 ODIs to fine-tune their team before their World Cup opener against hosts England at The Oval next May, and head into the fixtures against Zimbabwe without skipper Faf du Plessis and Hashim Amla due to shoulder and finger injuries respectively.

ODI bowling is really a mind-set thing. If you can get into the right mind-set and be content with the fact that one day you might go for a 100 and the next day you might be the hero, you'll be fine.

JP Duminy will captain a side also shorn of the rested Quinton de Kock and David Miller but featuring Reeza Hendricks, who smashed a century on debut against Sri Lanka in August.

Zimbabwe welcome back Brendan Taylor, Sean Williams and Craig Ervine after the trio missed recent fixtures against Australia and Pakistan because of unpaid salaries.

However, Graeme Cremer is absent as he continues to recover from knee surgery and Sikandar Raza has not been selected following a dispute with his country's cricket board.

Zimbabwe have lost 35 of their 37 completed ODIs against South Africa, with their most recent victory coming 18 years ago in Kingsmead.

Watch the first ODI between South Africa and Zimbabwe, live from 8.55am on Sunday on Sky Sports Cricket (channel 404).