Proteas captain Temba Bavuma is set to make his return as the team announces their 16-man squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against West Indies. Rising star Matthew Breetzke has been rewarded with his first Test call-up after a successful domestic season with the bat.
The Proteas, who are currently competing in Major League Cricket, will travel to the Caribbean for the series. Coach Shukri Conrad revealed the squad, with Bavuma reclaiming the captaincy armband and Ryan Rickelton also making a comeback as the wicket-keeper batter.
Breetzke's inclusion comes after a standout season where he showcased his talent in the domestic 4-day competition and led South Africa A against India A. The squad will be without all-rounder Marco Jansen, who has been rested for the series.
The team will have a red-ball camp in Durban before heading to Trinidad and Tobago for the series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship. The Proteas are eager to make their mark in the championship and are hoping for strong performances in the Caribbean.
"We are excited to get back to Test cricket after focusing on limited-overs matches recently," said Conrad. "This tour is crucial for us as we aim to climb the rankings in the ICC World Test Championship. We have selected a strong squad and are looking forward to the challenge."
Breetzke's addition brings a fresh dynamic to the squad, and Jansen's rest period is aimed at ensuring he is physically and mentally ready for the upcoming challenges. Four players from the squad are currently playing in the Major League Cricket and will join the team after the MLC final on 28 July.