The South African selectors have announced the squads for the full tour of Pakistan and a T20 game against Namibia.
The Proteas start their ICC World Test Championship defence with two Tests against Pakistan from October 12-24 in Lahore and Rawalpindi.
Aiden Markram will captain the Test team as Temba Bavuma is still recovering from a calf injury he picked up during the England tour.
Simon Harmer is back in the national side for the first time since March 2023. He’ll be joined by Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayan. Keshav Maharaj will only play the second Test as he recovers from a groin strain.
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Except for Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis, the all-format players in the Test squad will sit out the Pakistan white-ball matches. This includes three T20Is from October 28 to November 1 and three ODIs from November 4-8.
David Miller will lead the T20I squad while Matthew Breetzke will captain the ODI side. Donovan Ferreira will be in charge for the T20I against Namibia on October 11.
Quinton de Kock is back in both T20I and ODI squads. The wicketkeeper, who retired from 50-over cricket after the 2023 World Cup, has changed his mind and wants to play both white-ball formats for the Proteas.
He’s also returning to the T20I team for the first time since the T20 World Cup final against India last June.
Ferreira and Sinethemba Qeshile are getting their first call-ups for the ODI squad. Rivaldo Moonsamy is in the T20I squad to face Namibia.
The Namibia T20I will be the first international match between the two sides and will mark the opening of the Namibia Cricket Ground, a venue for the 2027 World Cup.
Proteas selector Patrick Moroney said, Starting our World Test Championship defence in Pakistan is a big moment for the team. The white-ball games give us chances to build depth as we prepare for the T20 and 50-over World Cups.
We’ve had some injuries, but the medical and management teams have worked hard to field strong squads. Injuries let other players step up, which helps us build depth in all formats. Temba will be out for six to eight weeks, but we’re focused on getting him ready for the India tour in November.
Head Coach Shukri Conrad said, We’re sad Temba is unavailable. He’s a key leader and batter, and we’ll miss him. But most of the Test squad have played in the subcontinent and know what to expect.
Pakistan is a tough place to tour. With spin-friendly conditions and Keshav only available for the second game, it’s good to have Simon in the squad for spin depth.
Quinton’s back is a big plus. He wants to play for his country, and everyone knows what he brings to the team.
He’s really come into his own in the 50-over format and has captained South Africa A and the Warriors before, so I am sure he will lead the ODI side.
Donovan impressed me during the T20Is against England. He knows his way around the game and relates well with the younger players. Leading the T20Is against Namibia will do a lot for his growth as a cricketer.
The Test squad will hold a camp in Pretoria from October 5 to 6, going to Lahore back on the 7th.
Proteas Test squad against Pakistan:
Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (Second Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne.
Proteas T20I squad against 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-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.
Proteas ODI squad against 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-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.
Proteas T20I squad against Namibia:
Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams.
Pakistan Tour Fixtures
Test Series
- 1st Test: October 12-16, Lahore
- 2nd Test: October 20-24, Rawalpindi
T20I Series
- 1st T20I: October 28, Rawalpindi
- 2nd T20I: October 31, Lahore
- 3rd T20I: November 1, Lahore
ODI Series
- 1st ODI: November 4, Faisalabad
- 2nd ODI: November 6, Faisalabad
- 3rd ODI: November 8, Faisalabad
T20I Namibia
- October 11, Windhoek
