These players were not named in South Africa’s squad for next month’s World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in London, England.
1. Gerald Coetzee
Fast bowler Coetzee had not played professional cricket since January 2024 prior to this month’s return for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. Fellow fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was effectively selected ahead of Coetzee. “I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball,” said Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad.
2. Kwena Maphaka
Left-arm fast bowler Maphaka debuted in Test cricket against Pakistan at Newlands in Cape Town earlier this year. He took three wickets and has since been contracted by Cricket South Africa.
Kwena Maphaka.
3. Matthew Breetzke
Breetzke played on Test in 2024, against Bangladesh in Mirpur. He has experience in the County Championship in England and was with the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2025 Indian Premier League, but did not play a match. “It hasn’t been easy not playing and being away from home. But in saying that, I’d 100 percent much rather be here than at home,” Breetzke told SportsBoom.
4. Anrich Nortje
Fast bowler Nortje has not played Test cricket since 2023. He has not formally retired from the longest format of the international game. “I was available for December 2024’s Test matches against Pakistan. I spoke about it and broke my toe before the first match,” said Nortje recently.
Anrich Nortje.
5. Nandre Burger
Left-arm fast bowler Burger collected 14 wickets from three Tests from December 2023 to August 2024. He has not played professional cricket since September 2024 due to injury, but was recently signed by the Rajasthan Royals for the rest of the 2025 IPL.
MORE latest WTC final news
- Temba Bavuma: People pointing fingers at Kagiso Rabada have skeletons in their own closet
- Ryan Rickelton will open batting with Aiden Markram in WTC final
- Shukri Conrad: To Tim Paine – let he without sin cast the first stone
- Enoch Nkwe: We know the Australians are probably going to use it against him
- SACA CEO: Kagiso Rabada criticism from Australia naive and lacks understanding
- Kagiso Rabada ‘was smart to go down that route’
- Australia name squad for World Test Championship final
- Gap between end of IPL and start of WTC final narrows to 7 days