Key players rested as South Africa announce squad for Afghanistan and Ireland series

South Africa is set to rest several of their top players for their upcoming tour of the UAE, where they will face Afghanistan and Ireland in limited-overs matches. This decision comes as part of their preparation for the Champions Trophy. 

Key players such as Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller, and Heinrich Klaasen will not be part of the ODI or T20I squads. Instead, the team management has included some fresh names in the squad.

Allrounder Jason Smith, who made his T20I debut against the West Indies last month, has been given his first ODI call-up. Legspinner Nqabayomzi Peter, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury, is also making a return. Another new addition is 21-year-old seam-bowling allrounder Andile Simelane, who has been impressive in South Africa Emerging and 'A' sides. Simelane has been named in both the ODI and T20I squads for the matches against Afghanistan.

Lungi Ngidi, who was recovering from a calf injury during the West Indies tour, is expected to lead the bowling attack. However, Quinton de Kock, who has not announced his retirement from T20Is, is not included in the squad. Kwena Maphaka, who debuted against the West Indies, is absent as he finishes his school exams. Donovan Ferreira, another player from the West Indies T20I series, is not traveling, while Matthew Breetzke has been added to the T20I squad.

Aiden Markram, Reeza Hendricks, and Simelane are part of the ODI squad for the series against Afghanistan but will not be available for the ODIs against Ireland. Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton are included only for the Ireland ODIs.

Rob Walter, South Africa's white-ball coach, explained the decision.

"We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months," Rob Walter, South Africa's white-ball coach, said in a statement. "This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027," he said.

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqabayomzi Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland

Aiden Markram (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland

Temba Bavuma (capt), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams