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New Delhi: Last edition's runner-ups, South Africa, have announced a 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2026, starting in India and Sri Lanka on February 7. Aiden Markram will lead the strong outfit, which also features Quinton de Kock and Anrich Nortje.
De Kock comes into the squad after recently reversing his retirement, while Nortje also finds a place in the team after recently making his international comeback from injury.
In a surprising call, the Proteas have left out dynamic batter Tristan Stubbs from the squad despite the young batter's reputation as a regular in South Africa's white-ball setup. His exclusion indicates the South Africa Cricket selectors' approach to field a different combination for the marquee event in the sub-continent.
Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada, who missed the recent series against India with injury, has also been picked. His return bolsters South Africa's pace attack, which also features Lungi Ngidi, Nortje, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch.
In another notable selection call, the selectors handed a maiden World Cup chance to middle-order batter Jason Smith. The 31-year-old batter recently caught the eye with a breathtaking knock of 68 off 19 balls for the Dolphins in the domestic T20 challenge. He also blasted a blazing 41 off just 14 balls for MI Cape Town against Durban Super Giants in SA20.
"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," Convenor Selector for the Proteas Men, Patrick Moroney said.
Pacers Ottneil Baartman and Lutho Sipamla, who recently toured India, have been left out, along with top-order batter Reeza Hendricks.
Two years after losing the final to India in heartbreaking circumstances, South Africa will aim to cross the final hurdle in the 2026 edition of the T20 extravaganza.
The Proteas are drawn in Group D alongside Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates, and will open their campaign on February 09 against Canada in Ahmedabad.
Squad:
Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje
