South Africa have recalled Matthew Breetzke and dropped Tristan Stubbs from their squad for the second Test against Australia, which starts on Sunday in Gqeberha, coach Shukri Conrad confirmed on Thursday.
Breetzke’s return follows South Africa’s heavy 214-run defeat in the first Test at Durban’s Kingsmead, where Stubbs managed only 33 runs across two innings. The change signals a likely reshuffle in the Proteas’ batting order, with Breetzke potentially opening alongside Aiden Markram.
Conrad said Breetzke’s recent form in the ODI series against Australia played a big part in his selection. “Matt has been part of the squad before and the fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and also, more importantly, the attitude and the character Matt brings, and has, will go a long way,” he said.
Breetzke has appeared in two Tests for South Africa, against Bangladesh in late 2024 and Zimbabwe last year, maintaining a first-class batting average of 37. His last first-class match came in February, but his century in the first ODI against Australia last month underlined his current form.
The wicketkeeping responsibilities will switch to Ryan Rickelton for the second Test. This move raises questions over Kyle Verreynne’s place in the playing XI, as he has struggled for runs, failing to score a half-century in his last 13 innings. Verreynne remains with the squad but could be sidelined.
Rickelton has kept wickets while opening the batting before, and Conrad said the team would consider whether he continues in that dual role or bats lower down the order. “With Ricks (Rickelton) taking the gloves, there are obviously decisions to be made over whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting and take the gloves, which he has done before,” Conrad said. “We’ll have a look at what the conditions are like, but there are a few things to consider before play starts.”
Tony de Zorzi remains unavailable as he continues recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during last month’s ODI series.
The squad for the second Test includes captain Temba Bavuma, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne.
South Africa are also expecting the return of their lead fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, who missed the first Test as a precaution due to a persistent hamstring issue. Conrad confirmed Rabada is expected to be fit for Sunday’s match.
With the series tied after one Test, these alterations mark South Africa’s attempt to bounce back on home soil, adjusting their lineup to improve both batting depth and bowling attack ahead of the encounter in Gqeberha.
According to Yahoo Sports.
