South Africa announce Playing XI for Boxing Day Test against Pakistan

South Africa is set to host Pakistan in a pivotal two-match Test series, with the opening game commencing on December 26 at Centurion and the second scheduled for January 3. The series carries significant weight, as its outcome will play a key role in determining the finalists of the 2023-25 World Test Championship.  

In a surprising move, Corbin Bosch, son of former Test cricketer Tertius Bosch, has earned a maiden Test cap. The 30-year-old all-rounder, who debuted in ODIs against Pakistan earlier this week, brings experience from 34 first-class matches. Bosch has scored 1,295 runs at an average of 40.46, including 10 half-centuries and a career-best of 69. On the bowling front, the right-arm medium pacer has claimed 72 wickets, with his best figures being 5-69.  

Bosch recently featured in a match against the England Lions for the South African Invitational XI, delivering a tidy spell of 1-21 in five overs. Selected ahead of fellow uncapped seamer Kwena Maphaka, Bosch joins an XI with three frontline seamers and no specialist spinners.  

Injuries have plagued the Proteas' preparations, with four key pacers sidelined: Gerald Coetzee (groin), Nandre Burger (lower back stress fracture), Lizaad Williams (knee), and Lungi Ngidi (hip). Their absences created an opening for Bosch, who steps in for spinner Keshav Maharaj. The pace attack is spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, supported by Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson.  

South Africa's batting lineup remains unchanged from the Sri Lanka series, featuring a dependable top seven.  

South Africa Playing XI:

Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch