South Africa announces Test squad for Pakistan tour, Aiden Markram to lead in Temba Bavuma’s absence

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South Africa will be without their Test captain Temba Bavuma for the upcoming two-match Test series against Pakistan, their first assignment of the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Bavuma sustained a calf strain during the recent white-ball tour of England and is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks. In his absence, Aiden Markram will captain the Proteas.

Head coach Shukri Conrad confirmed Bavuma’s absence, noting his leadership and batting will be sorely missed. “Naturally, we are disappointed not to have Temba available. He has been such an important leader and batter for us in the Test side, and his presence on and off the field will be missed,” Conrad said in his official statement.

South Africa have recalled experienced off-spinner Simon Harmer, who last played a Test in March 2023. With first-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj only available from the second Test due to a groin strain, Harmer will provide valuable depth alongside Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen.

Conrad emphasized the importance of experience in subcontinent conditions: “At the same time, the majority of the Test squad have experience of playing in the subcontinent and understand the demands that come with it, so I’m confident they will embrace the challenge. Pakistan is one of the tougher places to tour, and with spin-friendly conditions expected and Keshav only available from the second game, it was important to have an experienced campaigner like Simon in the squad to provide extra depth in the spin department,” he added.

The Proteas Test squad retains the core group that lifted the WTC mace against Australia in June. Pacers Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder will lead the fast-bowling attack. Meanwhile, Dewald Brevis, Prenelan Subrayen and Zubayr Hamza are among the newer additions.

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South Africa’s Test squad for Pakistan tour: 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.

In another major development, wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement from ODI cricket. De Kock, who last featured for South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados in June, returns to both the ODI and T20I squads for the Pakistan tour. His comeback is expected to significantly bolster South Africa’s limited-overs batting depth.

Also READ: Quinton de Kock reverses his ODI retirement; South Africa announces white-ball squad for Pakistan series