Temba Bavuma is set to lead South Africa at the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. The Proteas, looking to win their second Champions Trophy since winning the inaugural edition in 1998, will be without pacer Anrich Nortje who has been ruled out.
The return of pace bowlers Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje was the biggest headline for South Africa after they announced their 15-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 nearly 10 days ago. However, the Proteas have suffered a major blow with Nortje being ruled-out for the tournament.
The 31-year-old, who returned to the ODI format for South Africa for the first time since September 2023, has been ruled out again due to a back injury after undergoing scans. Nortje had also missed the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India because of a similar problem. South Africa are yet to name an official replacement for replacement for Nortje.
Injuries galore for South Africa
A possible replacement option for Nortje, Gerald Coetzee didn’t make the initial squad but he has also picked up a hamstring issue playing for Joburg Super Kings in the SA20. However, his selection remains in contention and the final call on Coetzee will be taken depending on his recovery by the first week of February.
Lungi Ngidi has also returned to the squad after suffering a groin injury in October last year and is currently struggling for form in the SA20. Meanwhile, Wiaan Mulder suffered from a broken finger last year.
Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs in addition to Mulder will make their debut at a 50-over ICC event for South Africa. They’re the only players in South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad who didn’t compete in the Proteas’ run till the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Quinton de Kock, who retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup, will be the biggest absence from South Africa. De Kock has featured in every ICC tournament for South Africa since 2014 and the team has struggled to find an opening partner for Bavuma.
South Africa are in Group B of the Champions Trophy and will begin their campaign against Afghanistan on February 21. They will take on Australia and England in their other group-stage fixtures.
South Africa Champions Trophy squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen
Injured and ruled out: Anrich Nortje
Replacements: Yet to be made official
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