South Africa is set to field a new-look team for the upcoming T20I tri-series in Harare featuring Zimbabwe and New Zealand, as well as the Test Series against Zimbabwe. With several key players Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, and bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi, rested due to workload management, the squad has a number of fresh faces aiming to prove themselves on the International Stage.
In the T20I tri-series starting July 14, Rassie van der Dussen will take over captaincy duties in the absence of Aiden Markram. This will also be the first T20 assignment for new all-format head coach Shukri Conrad. Young players like Lhuan-dre Pretorius, who had a breakout season in SA20, and Rubin Hermann have been rewarded with their first international call-ups. All rounders Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy, both of whom have featured in other formats, are also in line to make their T20I debuts.
South Africa’s pace attack will be boosted by the returns of Nandre Burger and Gerald Coetzee, both coming back from injury and currently playing in Major League Cricket. Dewald Brevis, another promising name, is also back in the squad after a long break from national duty.
Coach Conrad emphasised that the series is a stepping stone toward building a strong team for the 2026 T20 World Cup, giving newcomers a chance to secure their place. “”This T20I tri-series marks the start of our preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup,” Conrad said. “With several senior players rested as part of their workload management, it creates space for these players to step in and show what they can offer, and bring them into contention for World Cup selection.
“Lhuan-dre and Rubin have been rewarded for their outstanding domestic form in the SA20 and we’re excited to see how they adapt to the demands of international cricket. We know what Corbin has to offer at this level and we are keen to see how his Test and ODI skills will translate to the T20I arena.”
The T20I Tri-series runs from July 14 TO July 26, while the first Test in Bulawayo begins this Saturday. South Africa has won eight of its nine Tests against Zimbabwe, and both teams will be eager to start strong despite the changes in their line-ups.
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SA T20I Squad:
Rassie van der Dussen (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane
