South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain, Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced on Friday, June 20. Keshav Maharaj will take over as captain for the series, with both matches set to be played at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Bavuma picked up the injury during his batting in the second innings on Day 3 of the WTC 2025 final against Australia at Lord’s. CSA revealed that the skipper will undergo further scans to assess the full extent of his injury.
South Africa will also be without several key players, including Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs, all of whom have been rested for the tour. In their absence, the squad features five uncapped players: Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, and Prenelan Subrayen.
Initially named as a 16-member squad, the group is now down to 15 players following Bavuma’s withdrawal, with no direct replacement announced for the regular skipper.
The first Test begins June 28, followed by the second Test on July 6, both in Bulawayo. The South African team departs for Zimbabwe on June 24.
South Africa Test squad:
Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (second Test), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf
