South Africa’s Cricket Shake-Up: Bavuma Injured, De Kock Returns

South Africa’s Cricket Shake-Up: Bavuma Injured, De Kock Returns

South Africa will be without injured captain Temba Bavuma for their tests in Pakistan next month, but Quinton de Kock will come out of One-Day International retirement to play in both white-ball series on the all-formats tour.

South Africa will head into their Test series against Pakistan with a few big changes. Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a calf injury he picked up during the recent tour of England. He’ll need six to eight weeks to recover. In his absence, Aiden Markram will lead the team in the two-match Test series.

The Test squad includes offspinner Simon Harmer, who returns after more than a year, joining Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen in the spin department. First-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj will only be available for the second Test due to a groin strain.

In a major boost, wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement from ODI cricket. He’s been named in both the ODI and T20I squads for the Pakistan tour, as well as a one-off T20I in Namibia. De Kock last played white-ball cricket for South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final. Though he never officially retired from T20Is, he hadn’t been part of recent squads.

Head coach Shukri Conrad confirmed that de Kock is committed to playing for South Africa again. “Quinton’s return is a big boost. He still wants to represent his country and brings great quality to the team,” Conrad said.

South Africa will play two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is in Pakistan. Before that, they’ll play a T20I in Namibia to open a new stadium. Donovan Ferreira will captain that match, with de Kock also part of the squad.

For the Pakistan white-ball series, David Miller will lead the T20I side, while Matthew Breetzke will captain the ODIs. The squads include a mix of experienced players and fresh faces like Rivaldo Moonsamy, who gets his first national call-up.

South Africa’s busy schedule continues with a tour of India after Pakistan, featuring two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is. These matches will help them prepare for the next T20 World Cup.

South Africa squad for Pakistan Tests

Aiden Markram (C), 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

South Africa's squad for Pakistan T20Is

David Miller (C) , Rorbin 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

South Africa's squad for Pakistan ODIs

Matthew Breetzke (C), 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

South Africa's squad for Namibia T20I

Donovan Ferreira (C), 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