South Africa Squad for T20 World Cup: Cricket South Africa has announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, which begins on the seventh of next month. Aiden Markram will captain the team. Star wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton and explosive batsman Tristan Stubbs have not been included in the squad, while fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who missed the T20I series against India due to a rib injury, has been selected. Several players have been included in the T20 World Cup squad for the first time.
This is a good news for South Africa ahead of the major tournament, their key fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is ready to return to action. He has been given the green light to return to the field. Rabada missed the recent white-ball series against India due to a rib injury. His presence will provide much-needed strength and experience to the team's pace attack for the upcoming ICC event. On the other hand, explosive top-order wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton has been left out of the 15-member squad, while Jason Smith has been included.
Several key players have been overlooked in the batting order. Wicketkeeper-batsman Ryan Rickelton has been dropped from the squad, and middle-order batsman Tristan Stubbs has also not been selected. The selectors have given an opportunity to Jason Smith, who has only played two T20 Internationals so far.
In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and George Linde have been included to handle conditions in the subcontinent, where spin is expected to play a key role.
Young players Dewald Brevis and Donovan Ferreira have been included in the squad. Both will strengthen the middle order. Experienced players Quinton de Kock and David Miller are key members of the team.
"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. We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through," selection convener Patrick Moroney said as per ESPNcricinfo.
South Africa has been placed in Group D along with Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates. It's a challenging group, with tough competition expected from New Zealand and Afghanistan.
South Africa's head coach Shukri Conrad emphasized the importance of their recent tour of India in preparing for the T20 World Cup. He said, "The experience we gained playing in those conditions will undoubtedly benefit us as we head into this tournament."
The team will play one more T20I series against West Indies before heading to the World Cup, with that squad set to be announced later this month.
The Proteas team will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Canada in Ahmedabad on February 9th. After finishing as runners-up in 2024, South Africa will be hoping this team can go all the way and finally end their long wait for an ICC white-ball trophy.
South Africa Squad: Aiden Markram(c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje.
