South Africa’s Test captain Temba Bavuma is set to make a timely return for the crucial home series against Sri Lanka, following recovery from a long-standing elbow injury. Bavuma, who has not played red-ball cricket since August, will lead a 14-man squad for the two-Test series, which begins in Durban on November 27.
Bavuma’s return is a significant boost for South Africa, who are in a tight race for a spot in the 2023-25 World Test Championship final. The Proteas must win all four of their remaining Tests—two against Sri Lanka and two against Pakistan—to guarantee their place at Lord’s next year. A 3-1 win could also see them progress, depending on results elsewhere.
Test coach Shukri Conrad is confident Bavuma will be ready despite missing competitive cricket since October when he sustained the injury during an ODI against Ireland. “He’s excited,” Conrad said of Bavuma’s eagerness to lead his side again. “He hasn’t played Test cricket in a while and is like a kid in a toy shop.”
Bavuma’s return bolsters a relatively inexperienced batting lineup, which saw three debutant centurions in Bangladesh last month. He has undergone rigorous fitness assessments, including batting sessions against quick bowlers, and has been cleared to play after passing these tests without any pain. Conrad added that while Bavuma hasn’t played a Test since the West Indies series, preparations in a short camp in Pretoria will ensure he is match-ready.
Alongside Bavuma, fast bowlers Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee return to the squad after making their first appearances in the recent T20I series against India. Jansen, who last played Tests last summer, and Coetzee, who was sidelined after an injury scare in India, will provide much-needed pace depth to the attack, led by Kagiso Rabada. However, Lungi Ngidi remains unavailable due to a groin injury, while Anrich Nortje has opted out of the Test series.
In the spin department, South Africa has retained Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, but there is no place for US-based offspinner Dane Piedt, who was part of the last three Test squads. The batting lineup will feature Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, and allrounder Wiaan Mulder, with Ryan Rickelton likely making way for Bavuma’s return to the middle order.
Sri Lanka, third on the WTC points table, are also in the hunt for a place in the final, with just 1.39 percentage points separating them from South Africa. Conrad acknowledged the challenge posed by the visitors but expressed confidence in his side’s ability to perform under pressure. “We understand the magnitude of the series, but if we play close to our ability, we’ll be right there when it matters,” he said.
The two-Test series will take place in Durban (November 27 to December 1) and Gqeberha (December 5 to 9), with both teams eyeing the coveted spot at the WTC final in June 2025.
Click Here:- Sri Lanka Squad for South Africa Test Series
South Africa Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series
Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne