South Africa's big-hitting all-rounder Donovan Ferreira has been ruled out of the SA20 2025-26 due to a shoulder injury sustained on January 17. The injury has cast a doubt on his participation in the T20 World Cup 2026.
In the clash against Pretoria Capitals, the Joburg Super Kings' stand-in captain was fielding on the cover boundary. He put in a dive to save a boundary off the last ball of the innings but ended up landing awkwardly on his left shoulder.
In a tricky run chase of 144, he walked out to bat at no.8. He faced one delivery and felt discomfort in his left shoulder. He left the field clutching his left shoulder. Super Kings ended up losing the match by 21 runs despite Dian Forrester's unbeaten 33-ball 44.
“Not really sure (about his shoulder), will do a full scan in the morning and take it from there,” Ferreira told the broadcaster after the match.
There is no official word from Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Ferreira’s injury. The Proteas are scheduled to take on West Indies in a three-T20I away series leading up to the T20 World Cup 2026. It is yet to be seen whether the 27-year-old wins the race against time to be fit for the preparatory series.
South Africa's squad for 2026 T20 World Cup:
Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith.
Who can replace Donovan Ferreira if he gets ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026?
South African selectors have a few options to replace Ferreira in the squad. Ryan Rickelton can be the back-up wicketkeeper. He has scored two centuries in the ongoing SA20 for MI Cape Town, the first to do so in the league's history. However, he bats at the top and cannot play the designated finisher role which was assigned to Ferreira.
The other obvious option is Tristan Stubbs who can bat in the middle order and is handy with off-spin as well. Like Ferreira, Stubbs can keep wickets as well.
Another option is Matthew Breetzke who can don the wicketkeeping gloves as well. Breetzke has experience batting in subcontinent conditions and was one of the standout performers in the ODI series against India. The only factor going against him is that he bats in the top-order.
Meanwhile, Tony de Zorzi is yet to regain match fitness. If he doesn’t recover, one of these three players may get a place in the squad as well. South Africa
begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Canada on February 9. They have been placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand and United Arab Emirates.