South Africa’s red-ball rebuild continues with vigour as Test head coach Shukri Conrad named five uncapped players in a 16-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, set to take place in Bulawayo from 28 June to 10 July.
The fresh call-ups come as part of a strategy to broaden the Test pool and reward standout domestic performers, particularly with several senior players rested ahead of a taxing international calendar.
Titans Young Guns Get the Nod
Among the debutants are Northerns Titans batting prodigies Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Lesego Senokwane. Both players have been fast-tracked into the national setup following exceptional seasons in the domestic 4-Day Series.
At just 19, Pretorius has made a compelling case as South Africa’s next batting hope, scoring three centuries in just five matches and finishing with a staggering average of 72.66. His most significant knock came in the final, where his 114 was instrumental in helping the Titans secure a draw against the Central Gauteng Lions.
Senokwane, 23, also turned heads with 559 runs and two tons this season. The pair recently made their South Africa A debuts against West Indies A, a sign that their rise has not gone unnoticed by selectors.
Yusuf Headlines Pace Reinforcements
Also receiving his first call-up is Codi Yusuf, a right-arm seamer from the Central Gauteng Lions. Yusuf’s 23 wickets at 22.39 made him one of the most dangerous bowlers in the competition, and he was central to the Lions’ second consecutive appearance in the 4-Day Series final. His aggression and control with the red ball could make him a useful asset in Bulawayo’s conditions.
Brevis, Subrayen Finally Crack the Squad
While Dewald Brevis and Prenelan Subrayen are also technically uncapped, their inclusions have felt a long time coming.
Brevis, South Africa’s second-highest scorer in this season’s first-class campaign, has shown marked improvement in the longer format. Known for his explosive white-ball style, Brevis’ evolution into a red-ball player has been one of the most intriguing developments in local cricket.
Off-spinner Subrayen, a mainstay for the Dolphins, has quietly built a reputation for consistency and grit. His recent all-round display in the SA A series — including a five-wicket haul and an unbeaten half-century — finally convinced selectors to reward his persistence.
Returning Faces and Rested Stars
The squad sees the return of Zubayr Hamza, who last featured in a Test against New Zealand in February 2023. With players like Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs rested, the door was open for a few returning and emerging players to stake their claim.
“We’ve opted to rest some players to manage their workload ahead of a busy season,” said Conrad. “It’s great to see players like Lhuan-dré, Lesego, and Codi breaking through. Dewald has matured a lot over the past year, and Prenelan’s consistency has been hard to ignore.”
Injury Watch
Notably absent from selection are Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, and Lizaad Williams, all of whom are either returning from or managing injury concerns.
“Burger has been cleared to play T20s, and we’ll slowly work him up to Tests,” Conrad noted. “With Gerald, we’re taking a long-term view to keep him fit across all formats. And Lizaad is progressing well post knee surgery.”
Proteas Test Squad to Face Zimbabwe:
- Temba Bavuma (c, Lions)
- David Bedingham (WP)
- Matthew Breetzke (Warriors)
- Dewald Brevis (Titans)
- Corbin Bosch (Titans)
- Tony de Zorzi (WP)
- Zubayr Hamza (Lions)
- Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins)
- Kwena Maphaka (Lions)
- Wiaan Mulder (Lions)
- Lungi Ngidi (Titans)
- Lhuan-dré Pretorius (Titans)
- Lesego Senokwane (Titans)
- Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins)
- Kyle Verreynne (WP)
- Codi Yusuf (Lions)
The Proteas’ tour to Zimbabwe is their first since 2014 and offers a crucial opportunity to blood new talent ahead of the 2025 World Test Championship cycle. It’s also a sign that the Test side, once laden with veterans, is finally entering its next chapter — one built on performance, patience, and promise.
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