South Africa squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026: After a string of underwhelming performances in the shortest format, Tristan Stubbs has been dropped from South Africa’s T20I team as his name was absent from the 15-man squad that the Proteas announced for the men’s ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
19-year-old exciting left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has been included in South Africa’s squad that has several members missing from the unit that finished as the runners-up in the previous edition two years ago when they lost the final against India in Barbados.
Among the biggest name not part of the Protea team anymore is Heinrich Klaasen, who has retired from international cricket.
Reeza Hendricks and Tristan Stubbs both featured in that final against India, and both were also part of last month’s T20I series against the same opposition in India. However, both right-handers have struggled to put on impactful performances consistently in T20Is this year and have now faced the axe.
South Africa have also excluded Ryan Rickelton, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Ottneil Baartman, and Tabraiz Shamsi.
Quinton de Kock, who made a U-turn on international retirement and has been in excellent touch recently, is set to open. Aiden Markram will continue to lead South Africa. With Hendricks now dropped, it’s possible that Markram could shift back to the opening position.
The middle-order batting strength includes Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tony de Zorzi, and Jason Smith; Zorzi and Smith have played only two T20Is each so far.
The two spin-bowling all-rounders in the squad are George Linde and Donovan Ferreira, with Keshav Maharaj being the lead spinner. With Rickelton excluded, Ferreira will be the back wicket-keeper for de Kock.
South Africa’s fast bowling attack comprises Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, and Kwena Maphaka.
All the South African players picked in the squad are currently featuring in the SA20 league. After that, the Proteas will host the West Indies for a three-T20I rubber before flying to India for the showpiece ICC tourney.
South Africa squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026:
Aiden Markram (C), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Donovan Ferreira, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dewald Brevis, Jason Smith
Selection convener Patrick Moroney said, “We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka.
When will the ICC T20 World Cup begin?
The ICC T20 World Cup 2026 will be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.
In which group is South Africa for the T20 World Cup? Who are their opponents?
For the group stage, South Africa are in Group D at the T20 World Cup 2026. They are grouped with Afghanistan, Canada, UAE, and New Zealand. The top two teams from each group will proceed to the Super 8 stage.
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