Temba Bavuma has been removed from the Proteas squad to play for the Cobras in the Momentum One-Day Cup.

The Proteas batsman hasn’t featured in the Test series against India due to the return of AB de Viilliers and Faf du Plessis.

The 27-year-old’s last game was against Zimbabwe in the day-night Test where he scored 44, but he has struggled to form part of Ottis Gibson’s six-five system.

Bavuma will represent the Cobras on Wednesday when they face the Knights at Newlands.

Despite the third Test only starting in Johannesburg on 24 January, Bavuma is expected to play against his former franchise, the Lions, on Friday in Paarl.

On the expected green top at the Wanderers, Bavuma will be behind Chris Morris, Andile Phehlukwayo and Duanne Olivier in the pecking order if Gibson is to retain his four-seamer strategy.

Bavuma has played in 27 Tests with an average of 33.13

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