South Africa’s Champions Trophy squad – 5 discards

Bjorn Fortuin cricketBjorn Fortuin.

South Africa’ squad for this year’s Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates has been confirmed.

These five players were not selected for the Proteas’ 15-man squad.

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1. Gerald Coetzee

The Proteas selected fellow fast bowler Anrich Nortje ahead of Coetzee.

“They both offer high pace, but Anrich has a little bit more experience and potentially some attributes that will stand us in good stead in Pakistan,” said limited-overs coach Rob Walter.

Gerald was a tough one because he’s ultimately done nothing wrong to not be selected.”

2. Andile Phehlukwayo

Walter preferred batting all-rounder Wiaan Mulder to bowling all-rounder Phehlukwayo.

“Wiaan gives more with the bat as an all-rounder than Andile,” said Walter.

“The squad covers all bases. It’s much like in India in 2023, where we understood there would be a variety of conditions. The general information we have is that there’s not a lot of spin and the pitches are good for batting – so the batters are excited.”

3. Reeza Hendricks

Hendricks hit a maiden T20I century against Pakistan recently, but has again been overlooked in ODI cricket.

“It’s disappointing to miss out, but my expectations weren’t too high, because I wasn’t part of the last ODI squad either,” said Hendricks.

“But it was also not too long ago that I contributed for the Proteas. Obviously, I would have liked to go to the Champions Trophy, but such is life, such is cricket. I move on.”

4. George Linde

Linde had not played international cricket since 2021 prior to late December 2024’s recall to South Africa’s T20I XI against Pakistan.

“George really earned his spot off the back of a strong domestic campaign and his skills as a spinning all-rounder add important balance to the team,” said Walter at the time.

5. Bjorn Fortuin

South Africa named two specialist spinners – left-armers Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj – in the 15-man squad for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

“Bjorn has bowled very well, we just didn’t feel the need for an extra spinner,” said Walter.

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