As the countdown to the ICC Champions Trophy begins, the SA cricket team is gearing up for a series of white-ball matches in the UAE against Afghanistan and Ireland. In a move to give opportunities to fringe players and those who have impressed in recent weeks, several first-choice players will be rested for the tour.
The SA Squad will feature a mix of fresh faces and experienced players as they prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months.
The absence of regular players like Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen will provide an opportunity for new players to stake their claim.
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The squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of allrounder Jason Smith, who made his T20I debut in the West Indies last month, and legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, who has recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Caribbean tour.
Seam-bowling allrounder Andile Simelane, 21, has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads against Afghanistan. Simelane has been part of South Africa Emerging and ‘A’ sides recently and will be looking to make an impact on the international stage.
Lungi Ngidi, who suffered a right calf injury during the Caribbean tour, has recovered and is expected to lead the attack. Quinton de Kock, who has not confirmed his retirement from T20Is, does not feature in the squad.
The SA Squad has also seen the inclusion of Matthew Breetzke in the T20I squad, while Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton will only be available for the ODIs against Ireland. Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Simelane are part of the ODI squad against Afghanistan but not for the ODIs against Ireland.
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According to South Africa’s white-ball coach, Rob Walter, this move is part of a deliberate plan to build a wider pool of players to choose from as they prepare for the major ICC tournaments. “We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months,” Walter said in a statement.
ODI SA squad against Afghanistan:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqabayomzi Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.
T20I SA squad against Ireland:
Aiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams
ODI SA squad against Ireland:
Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams
The SA Squad will be looking to use this series as a platform to build momentum and prepare for the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. With a mix of experience and youth in the squad, they will be hoping to make a strong impression on the international stage.
