South Africa has announced their Test squad to face the West Indies in the upcoming series, with Dafabet Warriors batter Matthew Breetzke making his debut.
The series, set for July and August, marks a significant moment for Breetzke, who has shown impressive form this season.
Breetzke, who captains the Warriors, scored 322 runs at an average of 46.00, with a top score of 188. His leadership skills were further highlighted when he led South Africa A in a four-match series against India in December 2023.
Squad changes and key players
The Proteas have also recalled wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton, while resting all-rounder Marco Jansen, who played a crucial role in South Africa’s journey to the finals of the recently concluded 2024 T20 World Cup. Rickelton last represented South Africa in a series against the West Indies in March 2023.
South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, will return to lead the team. The Proteas have fond memories of their last encounter with the West Indies, having won the series 2-0 in the Caribbean in June 2021.
South Africa’s coach, Shukri Conrad, emphasized the importance of this tour as the team aims to improve their standing in the ICC World Test Championship. “This tour is extremely important for us as we aim to improve our standing in the ICC World Test Championship. We have therefore selected our strongest possible squad and look forward to strong performances in the Caribbean,” Conrad said.
Conrad also highlighted the inclusion of Breetzke, saying, “We have one new face in the squad, Matthew Breetzke, who is selected on the back of an excellent past season. The decision to rest Marco Jansen was taken to allow for a conditioning period aimed at ensuring optimal physical and mental well-being given the season-long workloads.”
Training and schedule
South Africa’s players will attend a red-ball camp from July 15-19 in Durban before the team assembles in Trinidad on July 27. Players participating in the Major League Cricket final on July 28 will join the squad the following day.
Proteas Test squad against West Indies: Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), David Bedingham (World Sports Betting Western Province), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports Betting Western Province), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Dane Paterson (World Sports Betting Western Province), Dane Piedt (Knights), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province).
Tour itinerary:
Warm-up Match
- 31 July – 03 August at 10:00 local time
- West Indies Invitational XI vs South Africa – Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad and Tobago
Test Series
- 07 – 11 August at 10:00 local time
- West Indies vs South Africa – Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad and Tobago
- 15 – 19 August at 10:00 local time
- West Indies vs South Africa – Guyana National Stadium, Guyana
