Proteas name 5 uncapped players in Test squad – and recall Zubayr Hamza

Codi Yusuf cricketCodi Yusuf.

Posted By: Editorial June 6, 2025

The Proteas have named a 16-man squad for July 2025’s Test series against Zimbabwe.

The uncapped Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen and Codi Yusuf have been selected.

Subreyan, who has been in the Test squad previously but not yet debuted, and Pretorius and Senokwane are currently with South Africa A in the West Indies.

Senokwane was the Knights’ leading run-scorer in the 2024-25 4-Day Domestic Series, division one, but has since joined the Titans.

Yusuf is currently playing for Durham in the County Championship in the United Kingdom. Brevis is with Hampshire in the T20 Blast.

Batsman Zubayr Hamza, who has not played Test cricket since February 2024, has been recalled.

Batsmen Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada and all-rounder Marco Jansen have been rested.

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“We’ve opted to rest some players to manage their workload ahead of a busy season,” said Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad.

“We’ve been closely monitoring performances in domestic cricket, and it’s great to see players like Lhuan-dre, Lesego, and Codi breaking through.

“Dewald deserves a lot of credit for how he has progressed over the past 12 months. He’s shown real growth and maturity in the longer format, and it’s encouraging to see him evolving into a more complete cricketer.

“Prenelan has earned his spot through consistent performances and offers us a lot with his all-round skills.

“This tour provides the ideal platform to expose them to the demands of Test cricket and see how they respond. It’s also our first tour to Zimbabwe since 2014, so we’re really looking forward to heading over there later this month.”

Prenelan Subreyan.

Fast bowlers Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee and Lizaad Williams were not considered for selection, according to Conrad. Burger and Coetzee were with the Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League recently, while Williams has been sidelined by a knee injury.

“Nandre has been given the all-clear by the medical team to play T20s. The plan is to ease him back into the game, starting with the shortest format, and then slowly work him up to the longer formats. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how he handles the workload as he builds toward playing Test cricket again,” added Conrad.

“With Gerald, it’s part of a bigger plan to help him better handle the physical demands of red-ball cricket. The idea is to give him the best chance to avoid a recurrence of the injuries that have kept him out of Test cricket since the tour against Sri Lanka. His recent performances in T20s have been really encouraging, but the focus is on his long-term growth and ensuring he stays fit across all formats.

“Lizaad is progressing well and is currently in the final phase of his rehabilitation from his knee surgery.”

Zimbabwe and South Africa will meet for two Tests in Bulawayo.

The Proteas are currently in England for next week’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.

South Africa Test Squad for Zimbabwe series

  1. Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions)
  2. David Bedingham (Western Province)
  3. Matthew Breetzke (Warriors)
  4. Dewald Brevis (Titans)
  5. Corbin Bosch (Titans)
  6. Tony de Zorzi (Western Province)
  7. Zubayr Hamza (Lions)
  8. Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins)
  9. Kwena Maphaka (Lions)
  10. Wiaan Mulder (Lions)
  11. Lungi Ngidi (Titans)
  12. Lhuan-dre Pretorius (Titans)
  13. Lesego Senokwane (Titans)
  14. Prenelan Subrayen (Dolphins)
  15. Kyle Verreynne Western Province)
  16. Codi Yusuf (Lions)

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