By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Proteas Men’s test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring injury.
Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa’s second innings on day three of the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury.
Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in his absence.
The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday from OR Tambo International Airport. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 6 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club.
Proteas next assignments after Zimbabwe, which Bavuma could be part of, are ODIs against Australia in August and England in September. Their next WTC campaign begins against Pakistan in October before a series in India in November. South Africa will not play any home Tests until October 2026, when they will host Australia.
Bavuma has indicated he would like to continue playing until the 2027 home ODI World Cup, fitness permitting.
This is the third hamstring injury Bavuma has suffered in less than two years. He was injured during the 2023 ODI World Cup and played the semi-final and then again during the Boxing Day Test against India that year.
He has also had a series of elbow injuries and plays with a heavily strapped left elbow.
Proteas Test Squad against Zimbabwe: Keshav Maharaj (c, Dolphins), David Bedingham (WP), Matthew Breetzke (Warriors), Dewald Brevis (Titans), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (WP), Zubayr Hamza (Lions), Kwena Maphaka (Lions), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans), Lesego Senokwane (Titans), Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins), Kyle Verreynne (WP), Codi Yusuf (Lions).