Proteas red-ball head coach Shukri Conrad announced on Monday a 16-player squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies, starting on 7 August in Trinidad and Tobago.
Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke has earned his maiden Test call-up following an impressive performance in last season’s domestic four-day competition, scoring 322 runs at an average of 46, with a top score of 188. Breetzke also captained South Africa A in a four-day match against India A in December.
Wicket-keeper batter Ryan Rickelton returns to the red-ball setup for the first time since South Africa hosted West Indies in March 2023. All-rounder Marco Jansen will be rested for the series.
The two-match Test series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship and marks South Africa’s first tour to the Caribbean since June 2021, when they secured a 2-0 series win over the hosts.
Commenting on the squad, Conrad expressed anticipation for the return to Test cricket after an intense period of limited-overs matches. He emphasized the importance of the tour in improving South Africa’s standing in the World Test Championship, highlighting Matthew Breetzke as the only newcomer selected based on his outstanding recent performances.
Conrad explained the decision to rest Marco Jansen aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being following extensive season-long workloads. Half of the squad will participate in a camp in Durban next week.
Proteas Test squad against West Indies includes:
- Temba Bavuma* (captain, DP World Lions)
- David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Matthew Breetzke* (Dafabet Warriors)
- Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Tony de Zorzi* (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Wiaan Mulder* (DP World Lions)
- Lungi Ngidi* (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Dane Paterson* (World Sports Betting Western Province)
- Dane Piedt (Knights)
- Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions)
- Tristan Stubbs* (Dafabet Warriors)
- Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions)
- Kyle Verreynne* (World Sports Betting Western Province)
