Predicting South Africa’s Playing XI for their second T20I against Ireland

South Africa and Ireland will face each other in the 2^nd and final T20I game on Sunday. The match is to be held at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium before the teams play three ODI matches at the same venue. This will also end South Africa’s UAE sojourn where they had played Afghanistan in a three-match ODI series which they had lost 2-1.

The South Africans are on a bit of a losing spree in the T20 format. After losing to India in the T20I World Cup finals they have lost three successive games to West Indies away from home. Aiden Markram and his side will want to put the reversals behind them and start to get on a winning run before taking on India at home.

Some of the senior members of the side like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen aren’t part of the series. This gives some of the younger players a great chance to make their place in the team. With the 2026 T20I World Cup in two years, the time is ripe for many players to stake their claim.

Here is the likely South African XI for the T20I against Ireland

Openers – Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram

Reeza Hendricks has been one of the best South African batters in the T20 format. The right-handed batter has been in great form but his last few games haven’t been that great. The other opener will be Aiden Markram who can take the attack to the opposition on his day.

Middle-order – Jason Smith and Ryan Rickelton

Jason Smith has played just one game so far and scored just 6 runs. The 29-year-old has been known to be a good batter in the domestic circuit for his side. Jason Smith is also a good batter against spinners and can score runs at a fair clip. Ryan Rickelton on the other hand is a huge player for the future. The left-handed batter has been compared to Quinton De Kock and the youngster will want to live up to the promise.

All-rounder – Tristan Stubbs, Patrick Kruger, and Wiaan Mulder

South Africa have three all-rounders who are dangerous with the bat and more than useful with the ball. Tristan Stubbs is a dangerous player who can score quick runs towards the end of the innings. Patrick Kruger has built a reputation to be a fearsome hitter of the ball and is also more than decent with his seam bowling. Wiaan Mulder is one of the unsung players for South Africa as he is effective with both the bat and ball.

Bowlers – Bjorn Fortuin, Lizaad Williams, Lungi Ngidi, and Nandre Burger

In the absence of Keshav Maharaj, the South African spin bowling will be taken care of by Bjorn Fortuin. Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger will be the frontline seamers for the South Africans while Lizaad Williams will be expected to do the job in the death overs.

Likely South Africa XI –

Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram (Captain), Tristan Stubbs, Jason Smith, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Patrick Kruger, Bjorn Fortuin, Nandre Burger, Lizaad Williams. And Lungi Ngidi.