South Africa announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Friday, with Aiden Markram set to lead the Proteas in the tournament.
Young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and top-order batter Jason Smith are among the notable inclusions, while batters Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs have missed out on selection.
Smith earned his place following a prolific domestic T20 season, highlighted by an unbeaten 68 off just 19 balls for the Dolphins in November, which helped steer the side into the playoffs. The 2024 T20I debutant boasts a strike rate of 128.30 and is currently playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20.
Rickelton was overlooked due to strong competition at the top of the order, with captain Markram and wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock already occupying key roles. Alongside Smith and Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira and George Linde have received their maiden T20 World Cup call-ups.
Speaking on the squad selection, head coach Shukri Conrad highlighted the team’s recent experience in subcontinental conditions.
“We are returning to the subcontinent, where we recently competed against hosts India. The experience we gained playing in those conditions will undoubtedly benefit us as we head into this tournament. Many of the players selected for the World Cup squad were on that trip and experienced first-hand the pitches that we will likely encounter, which will stand them in good stead once we get to India.”
Conrad also confirmed that South Africa will play one more T20I series against the West Indies before the tournament, with that squad to be announced later this month.
Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada returns to the T20I setup after missing the recent white-ball tour of India due to a rib injury, while fast bowler Anrich Nortje is another key inclusion. Nortje finished as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker at the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup.
South Africa has been placed in Group D of the 2026 Men’s T20 World Cup alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. They will open their campaign against Canada on February 9 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Former South Africa all-rounder Albie Morkel will join the setup as a specialist consultant. Convenor Selector Patrick Moroney expressed confidence in the squad’s balance and depth.
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate the players who will be representing South Africa at their maiden T20 World Cup. This is an incredible opportunity for them in what was a difficult squad to select.
“We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka. We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through.”
South Africa squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup:
Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith.