The Proteas have named an unchanged squad for the remaining two Test matches against England.
The hosts, who go into the third Test at the Wanderers on 14 January 1-0 down, will have plenty of bowling options available to them, with Dale Steyn and Kyle Abbott hopeful of recovering in time. If they do, Chris Morris and Kagiso Rabada will be fighting to keep their place, while Hardus Viljoen will hope to impress once again for the Highveld Lions in their ongoing match against the Cape Cobras.
AB de Villiers will begin his tenure as captain at the expense of Hashim Amla, who resigned from the role after the second Test, while JP Duminy, who struck 153 for the Cobras on Thursday, will come into contention after being dropped for the Newlands rubber. His potential inclusion might put Dane Piedt’s place under threat, as CSA selection convener Linda Zondi hinted that the conditions in Johannesburg might play a role in selection.
‘We were highly encouraged by the performance put up by the Proteas at Newlands,’ said Zondi. ‘The very fact that they were nearly able to force a win after conceding 600 runs on the first innings speaks volumes for the character of this group of players.
‘We feel we have all our bases covered and also the options that will enable the team to exploit whatever conditions they encounter at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium and at SuperSport Park.’
The ODI squad was named for the five-match series against the English. The squad, which has been reduced from 15 to 14 players, sees Aaron Phangiso drop out from the squad that won against India, while Rilee Rossouw, an original selection against India but forced to withdraw through injury, is fit to take his place again.
TEST SQUAD: AB de Villiers (Titans, capt), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Temba Bavuma (Highveld Lions), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Dean Elgar (Titans), Morne Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Titans), Dane Piedt (Cape Cobras), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras), Stiaan van Zyl (Cape Cobras), Hardus Viljoen (Highveld Lions).
ODI SQUAD: AB de Villiers (Titans, capt), Kyle Abbott (Dolphins), Hashim Amla (Cape Cobras), Farhaan Behardien (Titans), Quinton de Kock (Titans), JP Duminy (Cape Cobras), Faf du Plessis (Titans), Imran Tahir (Dolphins), David Miller (Dolphins), Morne Morkel (Titans), Chris Morris (Titans), Kagiso Rabada (Highveld Lions), Rilee Rossouw (Knights), Dale Steyn (Cape Cobras).
