The Proteas have named the playing XI for the first Test against Zimbabwe, which will start on Saturday in Bulawayo.
Batsmen Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke – and seamers Corbin Bosch and Kwena Maphaka – have been recalled to the XI.
Batsmen Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Dewald Brevis – and seamer Codi Yusuf – will debut in Test cricket.
“I personally believe in myself and feel like I can do that, and I know a lot of other people do as well. I know coach Shukri Conrad does as well, and that’s why he would have chosen me to be part of his squad,” said Yusuf.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the game and on the moment, but it would definitely be up there as probably the most important game in my career so far.”
Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, batsman David Bedingham and spinner Keshav Maharaj have been retained. They were in the XI for South Africa’s World Test Championship final victory over Australia in England earlier this month.
Maharaj will captain the team in Zimbabwe in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma.
The uncapped Prenelan Subrayen and Lesego Senokwane are in the 15-man squad, but have not been included in the playing XI. Batsman Zubayr Hamza, too, was not selected.
South Africa XI for first Test against Zimbabwe
- Tony de Zorzi
- Matthew Breetzke
- Wiaan Mulder
- David Bedingham
- Dewald Brevis
- Lhuan-dre Pretorius
- Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper)
- Corbin Bosch
- Keshav Maharaj (captain)
- Codi Yusuf
- Kwena Maphaka