Crossword Genius

English working in South African region in very early days? (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

neonatal

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'english working in south african region in very early days?' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'english working in south african region in' is the wordplay.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'working in' becomes 'on' (I've seen this in other clues).
'south african region' becomes 'natal' (I've seen this before).
'in' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'e'+'on'='eon'
'eon' put within 'natal' is 'NEONATAL'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for neonatal that I've seen before include "Relating to the first month of life" , "Recently delivered" , "that's been given a new life" , "Describing newly-born" , "Of or for the newly born" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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