Overview:
South Africa are in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada and the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa have announced the squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Aiden Markram named captain for the tournament scheduled to be played in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. However, there was no place for Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton.
The men’s selection panel announced the team on Thursday, giving preference to experienced players and young talent. Quinton de Kock, who recently returned to international cricket, is a part of the unit, with fast bowler Anrich Nortje also making a comeback.
Kagiso Rabada has also returned after missing the white-ball matches against India. Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch are the other pacers.
Stubbs has been a regular for South Africa in shorter formats, but the decision-makers dropped him, considering the spin-friendly conditions in the sub-continent. Rickelton has failed to make the cut, while there was no place for Reeza Hendricks, Ottneil Baartman and Lutho Sipamla.
“We have selected a strong group despite making some big calls. Our players have a chance to be successful in India and Sri Lanka,” Proteas Men convenor selector Patrick Moroney said. “We have assembled a team of match-winners with some of the finest cricketers in the game,” he added.
Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka and Jason Smith will play for the Proteas for the first time in the T20 World Cup.
South Africa are in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada and the United Arab Emirates. South Africa were defeated by India in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA.
Head coach Shukri Conrad is backing his players to perform well in the ICC event. “Many players have the experience of playing in India and Sri Lanka. We will play against the West Indies before leaving for the World Cup,” he said.
South Africa squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2026
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