Proteas squads revealed for all-format Pakistan tour and debut clash with Namibia
JOHANNESBURG: The South African Men’s selection panel has announced the national squads for the upcoming all-format tour of Pakistan and a historic one-off T20 International against Namibia.
The Proteas will kick off their ICC World Test Championship campaign with a two-match Test series in Lahore and Rawalpindi from 12–24 October.
Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a grade two calf strain sustained during the England tour. Aiden Markram will lead the Test side in his absence.
Spinner Simon Harmer returns to the national setup for the first time since March 2023. He is joined by Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen, with Keshav Maharaj included for the second Test only as he recovers from a groin injury.
White-ball rest and leadership changes
All-format players selected for the Test series—except Corbin Bosch and Dewald Brevis—will be rested for the white-ball leg, which includes three T20Is (28 Oct – 01 Nov) and three ODIs (04–08 Nov).
David Miller will captain the T20I squad, with Matthew Breetzke leading the ODI side. For the landmark Namibia T20I on 11 October in Windhoek, Donovan Ferreira will step in as captain.
Quinton de Kock reverses ODI retirement
Quinton de Kock has made a surprise return to both T20I squads and the ODI side, reversing his post-World Cup 2023 retirement from 50-over cricket. This marks his return to T20Is since the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados.
There are maiden call-ups for Ferreira and Sinethemba Qeshile in the ODI squad, while Rivaldo Moonsamy features in the Namibia T20I squad.
First-ever T20I between South Africa and Namibia
The one-off T20I against Namibia will be the first official limited-overs clash between the two senior national teams and will inaugurate the Namibia Cricket Ground, a venue for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
Official comments
Patrick Moroney, Convenor of Selectors, said: “Getting our World Test Championship defence underway in Pakistan is an exciting moment. While injuries are never ideal, they allow new players to step up and build depth.”
On Temba Bavuma’s injury, he added: “Temba will be out for 6–8 weeks. The goal is full fitness for the India tour in November.”
Head coach Shukri Conrad expressed confidence in the squad: “Pakistan is a tough place to tour. With Keshav only available from the second Test, it was vital to bring in Simon Harmer for spin depth.”
On de Kock’s return: “Quinton still has a strong ambition to represent the country. His return is a major boost.”
Full squads for Pakistan tour and Namibia T20I
🟢 Test squad vs Pakistan
- Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj*, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne
*Keshav Maharaj available for 2nd Test only
🟢 T20I squad vs Pakistan
- David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams
🟢 ODI squad vs Pakistan
- Matthew Breetzke (captain), 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-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile
🟢 T20I squad vs Namibia
- Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams
Pakistan tour fixtures
🧪 Test Series
- 1st Test – Oct 12–16: Lahore (Gaddafi Stadium)
- 2nd Test – Oct 20–24: Rawalpindi (Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)
🔥 T20I Series
- 1st T20I – Oct 28: Rawalpindi
- 2nd T20I – Oct 31: Lahore
- 3rd T20I – Nov 1: Lahore
📀 ODI Series
- 1st ODI – Nov 4: Faisalabad (Iqbal Stadium)
- 2nd ODI – Nov 6: Faisalabad
- 3rd ODI – Nov 8: Faisalabad
🇳🇦 T20I vs Namibia
- Oct 11: Windhoek (Namibia Cricket Ground)
