By Herman Mostert.
The Proteas on Monday confirmed a 15-man squad for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, which will be held in Pakistan from 19 February to 9 March.
ODI captain Temba Bavuma will lead the squad, which features 10 players who played in the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.
A notable return is that of fit-again paceman Anrich Nortje, who missed out on the World Cup due to injury. Nortje has also been sidelined of late with a left toe injury but he has made a full recovery. He is joined by fellow seamer Lungi Ngidi, who has recovered from a groin injury.
Batting trio Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, along with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, have cracked the nod for their first senior 50-overs-a-side ICC tournament.
“This squad boasts a wealth of experience, with many players having consistently performed in high pressure situations. That kind of experience is invaluable in a tournament like this,” said Proteas white-ball coach Rob Walter.
“We’ve managed to maintain the core group of our 2023 World Cup squad, whilst adding fresh talent.
“Our recent performances at ICC events show that we’re capable of reaching the latter stages of global tournaments. We’re eager to take the next step and go even further in pursuit of the coveted silverware.”
Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Marco Jansen (North West Dragons), Heinrich Klaasen (Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), David Miller (Dolphins), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Anrich Nortje (Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tabraiz Shamsi (Titans), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), and Rassie van der Dussen (Lions)
Management
Rob Walter (Head Coach), Khomotso Volvo Masubelele (Team Manager), Imraan Khan (Batting Coach), Anton Roux (Bowling Coach), Wandile Gwavu (Fielding Coach), Runeshan Moodley (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Matthew Reuben (Performance Analyst), Sizwe Hadebe (Physiotherapist), Dr Konrad von Hagen (Team Doctor), Kyle Botha (Logistics and Masseur), Lucy Davey (Media Manager), and Brian Khonto (Security Officer).
The Proteas will feature in Group B, with their opening fixture against Afghanistan on 21 February in Karachi. They will then travel to Rawalpindi to take on Australia on 25 February, before returning to Karachi for their final group stage match against England on 1 March.
Meanwhile, Cricket South Africa (CSA) also confirmed that High-Performance batting lead Imraan Khan will join the support staff as batting coach.
“We’re also looking forward to Imraan joining our support staff. He will be a great asset as we look to strengthen our batting and continue improving as a unit,” Walter added.
CSA added that South Africa’s squad for the preceding tri-series against hosts Pakistan and New Zealand (8-14 February) would be announced in due course.
Meanwhile Eighteen-year-old left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka completed his schooling at St Stithians College in Johannesburg. He is optimistic about his matric results after taking the exams through the Independent Examinations Board.