Several of South Africa’s main players will sit out during the upcoming white-ball series in the UAE, where the team will face Afghanistan and Ireland. Stars like Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen won’t be included in the ODI or T20I squads. Instead, the team management has decided to bring in some fresh faces to widen the selection pool.
New Players in the Squad
Allrounder Jason Smith, who made his T20I debut against the West Indies last month, has earned his first ODI call-up. Legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter is also back after recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the Caribbean tour. Additionally, 21-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Andile Simelane, who has played for South Africa’s Emerging and ‘A’ teams, has been included in both the ODI and T20I squads.
Key Players Missing
Lungi Ngidi, who had a calf injury during the Caribbean tour, is back to lead the bowling attack. However, Quinton de Kock, who hasn’t confirmed his retirement from T20Is, will not be part of the squads. Kwena Maphaka, who debuted against the West Indies, is missing as he is completing his final school exams, and Donovan Ferreira has also been left out of the tour. Matthew Breetzke will join the T20I squad.
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Changes for the Ireland Series
Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Andile Simelane are part of the ODI squad against Afghanistan but will not play in the ODIs against Ireland. Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton will only feature in the Ireland ODIs.
Focus on Building Depth
South Africa’s white-ball coach, Rob Walter, explained the strategy behind these changes: “We’ve chosen to give chances to fringe players and those who have performed well recently. This is part of our plan to build a larger group of players to choose from, as we prepare for the upcoming ICC tournaments over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 2027 50-over World Cup.“
South Africa’s Squad for UAE Tour
South Africa ODI Squad vs 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
South Africa T20I Squad vs 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
South Africa ODI Squad vs 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
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