Next month, South Africa will begin their defense of the World Test Championship with a two-match series in Pakistan, led by Aiden Markram. Temba Bavuma, the regular captain, is out because he is still recovering from a grade two left calf strain sustained during the previous England tour.
Quinton de Kock, who reversed his ODI retirement, will be available for South Africa’s limited-overs portion of the tour. After the 2023 World Cup, the wicket-keeper declared his retirement from 50-over cricket, and he hasn’t played in a Twenty20 International since the Barbabos T20 World Cup final last year.
Simon Harmer returns to the Test squad, marking his first national team comeback since March 2023. Prenelan Subrayan and Senuran Muthusamy, two other spinners, join him. While he recovers from a left groin ailment, Keshav Maharaj has only been selected for the second Test.
“Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available,” South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad said. “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.”
“Quinton’s return to the white-ball space is a major boost for us,” Conrad continued. “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.
The all-format players chosen for the Test series, with the exception of Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis, will be rested for the three T20Is and three ODIs that make up the white-ball series. While the highly effective Matthew Breetzke will fill in as captain for the ODI series, David Miller will lead the T20I team. Donovan Ferreira has been selected captain for the October 11 one-off Twenty20 International match against Namibia.
“Matthew [Breetzke] 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,” Conrad said.
“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.”
Ferreira and Sinethemba Qeshile have both been called up for their first ODI. Meanwhile, Rivaldo Moonsamy has been added to the team for the match against Namibia.
Before traveling to Lahore on October 7, the Test team will spend two days at a camp in Pretoria on October 5 and 6. October 12 will mark the start of the first Test.
Test squad vs Pakistan: Aiden Markram (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza,Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj* , Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne
*Second Test only
T20I squad vs Pakistan: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams
ODI squad vs Pakistan: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile
T20I squad vs Namibia: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams
