South Africa’s ODI series against Pakistan kicks off in Paarl, but Temba Bavuma will miss the first match to manage his workload ahead of two pivotal Tests during the festive season. Aiden Markram will step in as captain for the opener, while Bavuma is expected to rejoin the team later in the series.
This three-match series serves as South Africa’s only opportunity to play with their strongest available squad before the Champions Trophy, presenting a challenge in balancing preparations for the tournament with preserving key players for Tests. Eight players—Bavuma, Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, and Kagiso Rabada—were part of the recent 2-0 Test series victory over Sri Lanka and are likely to feature in both formats against Pakistan.
Fast bowlers remain a particular area of concern, with four already sidelined due to injuries. The team cannot afford to risk Rabada or Jansen joining the injured list. Wiaan Mulder, recovering from a broken finger, is racing to be fit for the Boxing Day Test, while Lungi Ngidi (hip), Gerald Coetzee (groin), and Nandre Burger (back) remain out of action. Anrich Nortje, who might have provided relief for Rabada or Jansen, is also unavailable due to a broken toe and ongoing recovery from multiple injuries.
Bavuma acknowledged the difficult balancing act South Africa faces, emphasizing that the upcoming Tests take precedence as they need just one more victory to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. Simultaneously, the team must finalize its Champions Trophy lineup, especially since they won’t have a full-strength squad for the tri-series in Pakistan, featuring New Zealand, which overlaps with the SA20 tournament.
Speaking from Paarl, Bavuma explained the approach: "Not everyone that we'd normally call upon is around because of injuries," Bavuma said in Paarl, where the first ODI will be played on Tuesday. "We've got bowlers within the squad, so we'd like to be in a position where we can give guys those opportunities, rest certain guys and give other guys opportunities. We'll try to balance it out as best as we can."
Apart from Rabada and Jansen, seam-bowling allrounder Andile Phehlukwayo, variation specialist Ottneil Baartman, and 18-year-old left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka are available for the ODIs. Maphaka, who impressed with his speed when called up during the Sri Lanka series, may even be in contention for the Pakistan Tests.
Adding to the challenges, South Africa awaits the outcome of a fitness test for David Miller, who injured his calf before the third ODI. Should he miss out, it could provide the team with an opportunity to trial replacements, especially with Miller’s potential unavailability for parts of the Champions Trophy as he anticipates the birth of his first child in February.
The batting lineup also sees adjustments, with Reeza Hendricks dropped despite a T20I century and Quinton de Kock retired from ODIs. The top order will likely feature Bavuma, de Zorzi, and Rickelton, while the middle order will be composed of Stubbs, Miller (if fit), Heinrich Klaasen, and an all-rounder.