South Africa has announced a 17-man team for the second Test match against Australia, which is expected to start on Sunday, October 18, in Gqeberha.
Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper, and Matthew Breetzke will replace Tristan Stubbs. According to the ICC website, South Africa may be able to add another specialist batter as a way to bolster their batting order after a lacklustre showing in the series opener. However, due to his ongoing recuperation from a left hamstring injury, left-handed hitter Tony de Zorzi is still not available for selection.
Proteas Eye To Bounce Back In 2nd Test
After missing the series opener, pace leader Kagiso Rabada may make a comeback to the starting lineup for the second Test. The South African bowling attack will benefit greatly from his possible return as they attempt to level the series in Gqeberha after suffering a crushing 214-run loss to Australia in Durban.
After lost to Australia by 214 runs in the first Test in Durban, Stubbs was the sole player removed from the team. Despite having scored a promising 94 in his previous Test innings against India almost 11 months prior, Stubbs achieved scores of 32 and 1 in the match. His substitute for the second Test in Gqeberha is Breetzke.
Breetzke has played for South Africa in two Tests, against Zimbabwe in July 2025 and Bangladesh in October 2024. With a first-class batting average of 37.03, the batsman, who has only managed 14 runs in those appearances, will be eager to take full advantage of the chance.
South Africa Squad For Second Test vs Australia
Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne.