South Africa announce 16-member squad for Zimbabwe Test series

Published - 18 Jun 2025, 19:03 IST | Updated - 18 Jun 2025, 19:10 IST

South Africa have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on June 28 at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. Temba Bavuma will lead the side, with several fresh faces joining the red-ball setup.

The series marks a new chapter for the Proteas following their historic triumph in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2025, where they defeated Australia at Lord’s to claim their first ICC title in 27 years.

The Player of the Match in the WTC Final, Aiden Markram, along with pace spearheads Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, has been rested for the upcoming Test series. Additionally, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, and Dane Paterson have also been given a break which will allow opportunities for youngsters.

Several players from the WTC winning squad, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Wiaan Mulder, and Kyle Verreynne retain their spots for the Zimbabwe tour. The wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Breetzke and young talent Dewald Brevis have also been included, with Brevis expected to make his Test debut. Zubayr Hamza, who has featured in eight Tests, returns to the squad.

The pace sensation Kwena Maphaka added to the bowling attack, while 19-year-old Lhuan-dre Pretorius is set for his maiden Test call-up. The middle-order batter Lesego Senokwane also earns a place in the squad. The all-rounders Prenelan Subrayen and Codi Yusuf have been drafted in to provide depth in the middle order.

The first Test will be played from June 28 to July 2, followed by the second from July 6 to 10, both at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.

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Temba Bavuma (Captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-Dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf.