It’s been barely three weeks since the Proteas lifted the World Test Championship, but the top dogs are already back on the road and in action as they kicked off their two-match Test series against neighbours Zimbabwe in Bulawayo at the Queens Sports Club yesterday.
Coach Shukri Conrad’s squad is made up of much younger players, as the core of his Test Championship final team has been rested ahead of a busy white-ball schedule.
Captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring strain he sustained in the World Test Championship final against Australia, while Lungi Ngidi will only be available for the second Test in Bulawayo.
With the absence of Bavuma, veteran spin bowler Keshav Maharaj has been bestowed with the responsibility to lead the side.
The absence of the regular team players opens the door for the most talked-about and exciting prospects, Lhuan-dré Pretorius (19), Dewald Brevis (22), and Kwena Maphaka (19).
All-rounder Lesego Senokwane (28) and fast bowler Codi Yusuf (27) also both received their maiden Test call-ups.
“We’ve opted to rest some players to manage their workload ahead of a busy season. We’ve been closely monitoring performances in domestic cricket, and it’s great to see players like Lhuan-dré, Lesego, and Codi breaking through.
“Dewald also deserves a lot of credit for how he has progressed over the past 12 months,” Conrad said.
Ahead of the tour, Bavuma also expressed his excitement for the future of SA cricket, saying that it is in good hands.
“The future of South African cricket is bright and in good hands because the likes of Tristan Stubbs and Marco Jansen are young guys who have gotten to experience what winning a trophy and being a world champion is like,” Bavuma said.
“And I think that type of experience that they have can only push them to carry it on. It will also be their responsibility in a couple of years to take the bar even higher, and hopefully it will rub off on the others.”
After the two-match Test series, South Africa will shift their focus to the tri-nations T20 International against the host and New Zealand in Harare.
