Exciting call-ups in South Africa’s Test squad for Pakistan series
Temba Bavuma leads a 16-player outfit for the two-game series
Among the uncapped players is Corbin Bosch, an all-round prospect with a first-class batting average of over 40 and a bowling average of 36.75, and the up-and-coming pace bowler Kwena Maphaka, who excelled in the Men’s U19 World Cup earlier this year before making his T20I debut for the Proteas later. Maphaka was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 21 scalps to his name.
Wiaan Mulder, who missed out the second Sri Lanka Test earlier in the season, has also been included in the squad as he completes the final phase of his recovery from a fractured finger. If the all-rounder is selected for the first Test, batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.
Spinner Keshav Maharaj, who incurred an acute groin strain in the leadup to the first ODI against Pakistan, is also in the squad but will undergo further tests on Wednesday.
South Africa’s red-ball coach, Shukri Conrad stated that his side were focussed on securing a positive result with the World Test Championship Final in sight. At the moment South Africa lead the standings.
Kwena Maphaka's magic at the U19 Cricket World Cup 2024
“We head into this series with a clear focus, with a spot in the World Test Championship Final being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. We’ve selected a squad which gives us the best chance to achieve that.
"It’s an exciting time for South African cricket and we're particularly looking forward to this battle against Pakistan. They always pose a strong threat with the talented fast bowlers they produce and I expect it to be no different this time around.”
Positive results in the upcoming encounters will ensure South Africa's place in the final irrespective of how the other sides fare.
Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.
Schedule
26-30 December, 1st Test, Centurion
03-07 January, 2nd Test, Cape Town