Young spinner Tanveer Sangha showed he could be a force to be reckoned with during the upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup by claiming the best figures on T20 debut by an Australian player in more than 18 years when taking a four-wicket haul against South Africa in Durban on Wednesday.

Sangha was a surprise selection in Australia's preliminary squad for the 13th edition of the World Cup in India later this year and the leg-spinner displayed some match-winning qualities as he collected the superb figures of 4/31 in the opening match of the three-game series against the Proteas.

It was a dream debut for Sangha, who picked up the vital wickets of Aiden Markram, Dewald Brevis, Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen as Australia registered a comprehensive 111-run victory.

Sangha only received a late call-up to Australia's XI when first-choice spinner Adam Zampa was struck down with illness on the morning of the match and the 21-year-old put in a performance that will put him in the mix to make his side's final squad of 15 players for the World Cup.

Australia captain Mitch Marsh - who top-scored for the tourists with a quickfire 91 - was full of praise for Sangha and believes the right-armer has a long and prosperous international career ahead.

"He's a fantastic young talent. To come in and do that, he's got great character, and he's going to fit right into international cricket," Marsh said after the win.