South Africa announce squads for Afghanistan and Ireland series

South Africa (Source – Getty Images)

South Africa announced squads for the upcoming Afghanistan and Ireland series, slated to begin on September 18. The Temba Bavuma-led side will play a three-match ODI series against Afghanistan and later, the Proteas will play a two-match T20I and three-match ODI series against Ireland in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Meanwhile, South Africa has given rest to several first-choice players for the UAE tour. The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen will not feature in either of the series as the team management has decided to give opportunities to youngsters, which will help them to widen the players’ pool.

Notably, senior players such as Aiden Markram and Reeza Hendricks are part of the ODI series against Afghanistan but they have been rested for the ODI series against Ireland. On the other hand, Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton will be playing the ODIs versus Ireland but not against Afghanistan.

South Africa’s white-ball head coach Rob Walter stated that they wanted to give more opportunities to the youngsters, keeping the ODI World Cup 2027 in mind. He added that the players who have impressed the team management in recent times have been called up to replace the seniors.

“We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months. This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027,” Walter said in a statement as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqabayomzi Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland

Aiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams