South Africa have named six uncapped players in a 12-man squad for the first match of their ODI tri-series with New Zealand and Pakistan. Here's why.
The squad announcement came on Wednesday (February 5), with the tri-series set to get underway from February 8 in Lahore. Each side will play the other two once each, before the top-two ranked teams face off in the final on February 14.
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With this series ending just five days ahead of the Champions Trophy, it could serve as the perfect opportunity for these sides to give their players some solid match practice in similar conditions to the tournament. However, South Africa will be without several first-choice players for their first match of the series against New Zealand – thanks to the SA20.
Why have South Africa picked six uncapped players for their ODI tri-series?
The knockout stage of the franchise competition kicked off on Tuesday evening, as MI Cape Town beat Paarl Royals to qualify for the final. The Eliminator between Joburg Super Kings and Sunrisers Eastern Cape will take place today. Qualifier 2 and the final are scheduled for tomorrow and Saturday, February 8 respectively.
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Several of South Africa's first-choice ODI players will be involved in these matches. Their SA20 contracts also stipulate that priority be given to the tournament in case of scheduling clashes. This is not the first time the league has interfered with national team selection. Last year, the Proteas were forced to send a third-string Test side to New Zealand due to the unavailability of those with SA20 contracts.
Despite effectively forfeiting that series due to the squad selection, losing 2-0, South Africa eventually qualified for the World Test Championship final, and will play Australia at Lord's in June.
Breetzke & Mulder in for SA's tri-series opener, but no Klaasen and Maharaj; Coetzee ruled out
Cricket South Africa's press release also clarified that certain players would be added to the squad after the Eliminator tonight. In addition, the release stated that "Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen will miss the first match as they travel to Karachi on 09 February, ahead of the second ODI against Pakistan on 12 February at the National Stadium."
Maharaj and Klaasen were part of the Durban's Super Giants franchise, which has been knocked out of SA20 already. However, DSG teammates Matthew Breetzke and Wiaan Mulder are part of the squad for the first match. There has been no further clarification as yet on why this is the case.
Looking beyond the tri-series, CSA also mentioned, "ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad members Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen will depart for Pakistan on 14 February." All of these players are still involved in the SA20.
Pacer Gerald Coetzee, who was ruled out of the SA20 last month with a hamstring strain, was originally included in the squad for the match against New Zealand. But in the hours since, he has been ruled out of the tri-series and the Champions Trophy as well, after reportedly pulling up during a 10-over training session.
South Africa squad for first match of ODI tri-series vs New Zealand & Pakistan
Batters: Temba Bavuma, Matthew Breetzke*
Wicketkeepers: Kyle Verrynne, Meeka-eel Prince*
All-rounders: Wiaan Mulder, Jason Smith, Mihlali Mpongwana*, Senuran Muthusamy*
Bowlers: Gerald Coetzee [withdrawn, replacement to be named], Junior Dala, Gideon Peters*, Eathan Bosch*
*uncapped players
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