Migael Pretorius, the 25-year-old all-rounder, has earned his maiden South Africa call-up. Pretorius claimed a spot after Kagiso Rabada and Dwane Pretorius were deemed unfit to be included in the 16-member list. Lungi Ngidi will now lead the pace attack along with Anrich Nortje and Beuran Hendricks.

The two Tests will be part of the ICC Test Championship, South Africa’s first red-ball series since the Covid-19 pandemic hit the sport.

Quinton de Kock leads the side that also contains uncapped opener Sarel Erwee, wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, as well as quick bowler Glenton Stuurman. Former SA skipper Faf du Plessis is also part of the squad, along with veteran batsman Dean Elgar.

“This series is particularly important for our ICC World Test Championship campaign, and the crucial points that it comes with,” Victor Mpitsang, the convenor of selectors, was quoted as saying by CSA.

“We are looking forward to what promises to be a competitive series and getting a good look at the players that we have in hand.”

After their ODI series against England was suspended, the South Africa team faced complications, with a few of the members of the Test squad being part of the first-class matches where Covid-19 positive cases had been detected.

The first Test will begin on December 26 at Centurion, while the second match will be played from January 3-7 in Johannesburg.

Complete South Africa squad for the Sri Lanka Tests

Quinton de Kock (C, WK), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen, Kyle Verreynne, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje