South Africa Announces Squad for Test Series Against Pakistan

South Africa has included Keshav Maharaj and Wiaan Mulder in their Test squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan, despite lingering fitness concerns.

Keshav Maharaj suffered a groin strain during warm-ups for the first ODI in Paarl, forcing him out of the match at the last moment. The extent of his injury will be determined following a scan. In Maharaj’s absence, left-arm spin-bowling allrounder Senuran Muthusamy is the only other specialist spinner in the squad.

Wiaan Mulder, recovering from a broken right middle finger sustained against Sri Lanka, is in the final stages of rehabilitation. Should he be deemed fit for the Boxing Day Test, top-order batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.

The squad features two uncapped players:

• Corbin Bosch: A seam bowler and son of former international Tertius Bosch, he impressed in recent matches for a South African Invitation XI.
• Kwena Maphaka: Another seam bowler who was part of the squad during the Sri Lanka series but did not play.

Additionally, seven players from the ODI squad are in the Test lineup, including captain Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa’s bowling depth is being tested with injuries to Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams, all sidelined until next year. Rabada and Jansen, while available, are unlikely to feature in all matches as South Africa manages its bowling workload.

With two Tests against Pakistan, South Africa needs one more win to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final. Matches will be held at SuperSport Park on Boxing Day and Newlands for the New Year’s Test.

South Africa Squad for Test Series Against Pakistan