South Africa’s white-ball head coach, Rob Walter, has unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Pakistan, set to take place from 10–14 December.
With regular T20I captain Aiden Markram tied up in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka, wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen will take charge of the Proteas. Markram, along with all-format players Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, and Tristan Stubbs, will miss the series due to the tight schedule between formats.
These players are expected to return for the subsequent ODI series against Pakistan as South Africa ramps up preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje and spinner Tabraiz Shamsi make their return to the T20I squad for the first time since the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup earlier this year. George Linde, the experienced all-rounder from Western Province, also marks his comeback to the T20I setup, having last played in July 2021.
Linde’s impressive domestic performances in the CSA T20 Challenge, where he scored 171 runs at a strike rate of 178.12 and picked up nine wickets at an average of 18.33, secured his spot.
The squad will participate in a two-day preparatory camp at the Centre of Excellence in Pretoria from 6–8 December before heading to Durban for the series opener at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on 10 December.
The remaining matches will be held at SuperSport Park, Centurion, and DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, on 13 and 14 December, respectively.
South Africa T20I Squad Against Pakistan
| Player | Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Heinrich Klaasen (c) | Momentum Multiply Titans | Will captain the side in Markram’s absence |
| Ottneil Baartman | Hollywoodbets Dolphins | |
| Matthew Breetzke* | Dafabet Warriors | Set to join after Test commitments |
| Donovan Ferreira | Momentum Multiply Titans | |
| Reeza Hendricks | DP World Lions | |
| Patrick Kruger | Dafabet Warriors | |
| George Linde | World Sports Betting Western Province | Returns to T20I setup after two years |
| Kwena Maphaka* | DP World Lions | Set to join after Test commitments |
| David Miller | Hollywoodbets Dolphins | |
| Anrich Nortje | Dafabet Warriors | Returns after T20 World Cup |
| Nqaba Peter | DP World Lions | |
| Ryan Rickelton | DP World Lions | Set to join after Test commitments |
| Tabraiz Shamsi | Momentum Multiply Titans | Availability for the 1st T20I depends on ongoing Global Super League commitments |
| Andile Simelane | Hollywoodbets Dolphins | |
| Rassie van der Dussen | DP World Lions |
T20I Series Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 December | South Africa vs Pakistan | Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban | 18:00 |
| 13 December | South Africa vs Pakistan | SuperSport Park, Centurion | 18:00 |
| 14 December | South Africa vs Pakistan | DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg | 18:00 |
South Africa will aim to build momentum in the T20I series, showcasing their depth and adaptability, while Pakistan’s visit promises exciting cricket between two formidable sides.
