Cricket South Africa (CSA) on September 9 announced the squads for three-ODI series against Afghanistan and limited-overs series against Ireland. In the absence of senior players, Jason Smith, Nqaba Peter and Amdile Simelane have received maiden ODI call-ups.
Leg-spinner Peter and all-rounder Smith made their T20I debuts against West Indies in two separate series in May and August 2024 respectively. Smith on his T20I debut scored six runs whereas Peter bagged three wickets from two games. However, it is the maiden call-up for all-rounder Simelane who has played 20 T20s so far.
Senior players Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller and Henrich Klaasen are not part of the tour as the team management wants to increase their player pool ahead of ICC events.
"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 the 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,” head coach Rob Walter said in a statement.
"There is no doubt that tours such as these offer us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to."
However, the senior players could have used some game time months ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025 which will be in the ODI format.
The ODI series against Afghanistan will commence on September 18. The other two ODIs will be played on September 20 and 22 respectively. Then, the Proteas will play Ireland in two T20Is and three ODIs. The T20I series and ODI series will begin on September 28 and October 2 respectively.
South Africa ODI squad vs Afghanistan:
Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.
South Africa T20I squad vs Ireland:
Aiden Markram (C), 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 and Lizaad Williams.
South Africa ODI squad vs Ireland:
Temba Bavuma (C), 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 and Lizaad Williams.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
23-year-old Jannik Sinner beats Taylor Fritz to win US Open title, says ‘the work never stops’
