South Africa announces squad for T20 World Cup

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa has announced a strong and well-balanced squad for the men’s T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February to March, with the return of star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada seen as the most significant development. Rabada returned to action on New Year’s Eve after being out of cricket for nearly ten weeks due to a rib injury.

Playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20, Rabada took 2 wickets for 48 runs in his comeback match, after which he was included in the World Cup squad. He will lead South Africa’s fast-bowling attack at the tournament, where he will be supported by Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Lungi Ngidi and youngster Kwena Maphaka.

The squad includes seven players who will be featuring in a T20 World Cup for the first time. Along with Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka, these are batter Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Jason Smith, and all-rounders George Linde and Donavon Ferreira.

The side will continue to be captained by Aiden Markram, while only seven members of the team that reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup have been retained this time. Quinton de Kock returns as opener after becoming available again in October, while David Miller, Keshav Maharaj, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje are also in the squad.

South Africa’s selection convener Patrick Moroney said, “We had to make some big calls, but we believe this squad has the capability to succeed in the conditions in India and Sri Lanka.”

South Africa will start its World Cup campaign on 9 February against Canada, and will also face Afghanistan, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates in the group stage.

South Africa squad

Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Tony de Zorzi, Donavon Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith.

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