JOHANNESBURG: The South African Men’s selection panel has named the squads for the upcoming all-format tour of Pakistan as well as the one-off T20 International (T20I) against Namibia.
The Proteas will begin their defence of the World Test Championship Mace with a two-match Test series against Pakistan from 12 – 24 October, taking place in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the series, as he continues his recovery from a left grade two calf strain sustained during the recent tour of England. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the side.
Momentum Multiply Titans spinner Simon Harmer has earned a recall to the national side for the first time since March 2023. He is joined by fellow spinners Senuran Muthusamy and Hollywoodbets Dolphins’ Prenelan Subrayan. Keshav Maharaj, meanwhile, has been named for the second Test only as he completes the final stages of rehabilitation from a left groin strain.
The all-format players selected for the Test series – with the exception of Titans all-rounder Corbin Bosch and Titans batter Dewald Brevis – will be rested for the white-ball leg of the Pakistan tour, which features three T20Is from 28 October – 01 November and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from 04 – 08 November.
David Miller will lead the T20I squad, while Dafabet Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke will stand in as captain for the ODI series. Titans batter Donovan Ferreira will take the captaincy reins in the T20I against Namibia on 11 October in Windhoek.
Quinton de Kock has been added to both T20I squads as well as the ODI squad. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper, who retired from 50-over cricket at the conclusion of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, has reversed his retirement, citing his desire to represent the Proteas across both white-ball formats.
He also returns to the T20I setup for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 final against India in Barbados last June.
There are also maiden call-ups for Ferreira and Warriors wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile, who have been named in the ODI squad, as well as Titans batter Rivaldo Moonsamy, included in the T20I squad to face Namibia.
The T20I against Namibia will be the first limited-overs international match between the two national senior sides and will also mark the official opening of the Namibia Cricket Ground, one of the host venues for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Convenor of Selector for the Proteas Men, Patrick Moroney said: “Getting our World Test Championship defence underway in Pakistan is an exciting moment for this group. It marks the
beginning of another important cycle, and the white-ball leg of the tour also presents valuable opportunities to build depth and test ourselves against quality opposition as we continue shaping squads for the T20 and 50-over World Cups.
“We have had to contend with a number of injuries in recent months, and it has been important for the medical and management teams to work closely together to ensure we continue to field the strongest possible squads. While injuries are never ideal, they also create opportunities for other players to step up, which is an important part of building that depth across all formats.
“Temba’s calf strain will unfortunately keep him sidelined for six to eight weeks, but the focus is on giving him the best chance to be fully ready for the India tour in November.”
Proteas Men’s Head Coach Shukri Conrad added: “Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available. He has been such an important leader and batter for us in the Test side, and his presence on and off the field will be missed. At the same time, the majority of the Test squad have experience of playing in the subcontinent and understand the demands that come with it, so I’m confident they will embrace the challenge.
“Pakistan is one of the tougher places to tour, and with spin-friendly conditions expected and Keshav only available from the second game, it was important to have an experienced campaigner like Simon in the squad to provide extra depth in the spin department.
“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us. When we spoke last month about his future, it was clear that he still has a strong ambition to represent his country. Everyone knows the quality he brings to the side, and having him back can only benefit the team.
“Matthew has really come into his own in the 50-over space and has lead SA A and the Warriors in this format before, and I have no doubt he’ll captain the ODI side with that same character and composure which he brings to his game.”
“During the T20I series against England, I was impressed by Donovan’s maturity, his understanding of the game, and the way he connects with the younger players in the squad. His appointment as captain for the T20I against Namibia presents an exciting challenge, one that I believe will only enhance his development as a cricketer.”
The Test squad will convene for a two-day camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 05 – 06 October, before their departure to Lahore from OR Tambo International Airport on 07 October.
Proteas Test squad against Pakistan
Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj* (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Dafabet Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Prenelan Subrayen (Hollywoodbets Dolphins) and Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province).
*Second Test only
Proteas T20I squad against Pakistan
David Miller (captain, Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).
Proteas ODI squad against Pakistan
Matthew Breetzke (captain, Dafabet Warriors), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dewald Brevis (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Donovan Ferreira (Momentum Multiply Titans), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), George Linde (World Sports Betting Western Province), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), and Sinethemba Qeshile (Dafabet Warriors).
Proteas T20I squad against Namibia
Donovan Ferreira (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Rubin Hermann (North-West Dragons), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Rivaldo Moonsamy (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).
Pakistan Tour Fixtures
Test Series
1st Test – Sunday, 12 October – Thursday, 16 October
Pakistan vs South Africa – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
2nd Test – Monday, 20 October – Friday, 24 October
Pakistan vs South Africa – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
T20I Series
1st T20I – Tuesday, 28 October
Pakistan vs South Africa – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
2nd T20I – Friday, 31 October
Pakistan vs South Africa – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
3rd T20I – Saturday, 01 November
Pakistan vs South Africa – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
ODI Series
1st ODI – Tuesday, 04 November
Pakistan vs South Africa – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
2nd ODI – Thursday, 06 November
Pakistan vs South Africa – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
3rd ODI – Saturday, 08 November
Pakistan vs South Africa – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalaba
T20I Namibia
Saturday, 11 October
Namibia vs South Africa – Namibia Cricket Ground, Windhoek
Source: cricket.co.za
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