South Africa is set to play two Test matches against Pakistan next month. The South African Cricket Team announced their squads for the upcoming multi-format series against Pakistan. Skipper Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the Test series, with Aiden Markram stepping in to lead the side in his absence.
Bavuma will miss the entire tour as he continues to recover from a calf injury sustained during South Africa’s recent tour of England. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj is recovering from a groin injury and is expected to be available only for the second Test.
Spinner Simon Harmer, who last featured in a Test in March 2023, has been recalled for the series. Zubayr Hamza has also returned to the Test squad, having last played in February 2024 against New Zealand.
Aiden Markram to captain South Africa in Test series against Pakistan
South Africa have announced their squad for the upcoming Test series in Pakistan, with Aiden Markram named captain. The squad includes: Aiden Markram (C), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, and Keshav Maharaj (selected only for the second Test).
The series will kick off on October 12 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, with the second Test scheduled from October 20–24 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This will be the inaugural series for both teams in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 cycle. Following the Tests, South Africa and Pakistan will also face off in three T20Is and three ODIs.
Several senior players, including Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, and Marco Jansen, have been rested for the white-ball series to manage workload.
In the absence of Aiden Markram and Temba Bavuma, David Miller will captain the T20I side, while Matthew Breetzke has been named ODI captain. Notably, Quinton de Kock has reversed his retirement from ODI cricket and will feature in both the T20I and ODI squads.
South Africa T20I squad vs Pakistan: David Miller (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.
South Africa ODI squad vs Pakistan: Matthew Breetzke (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.
