Fresh Faces and Veteran Talent: Breetzke Earns First Test Call-Up for West Indies Tour

Veteran Players Rested as New Talent Joins Experienced Core

Matthew Breetzke, currently playing for Northants, has received his maiden Test call-up as South Africa announces its squad for the upcoming Test series against the West Indies in August. Wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton also returns to the team, along with key retentions and strategic new additions aimed at bolstering the squad’s performance.

Key Squad Inclusions and Retentions

David Bedingham, Dane Paterson, and Dane Piedt are the only players retained from South Africa’s makeshift squad that toured New Zealand in February. Bedingham is seen as central to the future of South Africa’s long-format batting. Paterson, 35, is included for his experience, filling the void left by Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen. Piedt, 34, provides a second spin option alongside Keshav Maharaj.

Breetzke, a promising batter, steps in following Dean Elgar’s international retirement, adding depth to a top order that includes Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma, and David Bedingham. Red-ball coach Shukri Conrad confirmed that Stubbs will take over the No. 3 spot, with de Zorzi moving to Elgar’s opening slot.

Coach Conrad on Squad Strategy

“Technically, Stubbs is one of the best around,” Conrad said at a press conference. “He has all the makings of a top-class No. 3 batter. He will get a good run and is definitely one for the future.”

Rickelton, who last played Tests in March 2023, will compete with incumbent Kyle Verreynne for the wicketkeeper-batter spot at No. 6. Wiaan Mulder remains the only seam-bowling allrounder in the squad, following Jansen’s rest period.

Managing Player Workloads

Conrad explained the need to rest Jansen, emphasizing the importance of managing players’ workloads amid hectic schedules. “This is Marco’s time for rehab and conditioning,” Conrad said, noting that Jansen will also miss the October Tests in Bangladesh but will be ready for the Sri Lanka and Pakistan series.

The pace attack will be led by Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi, with additional support from Paterson and left-armer Nandre Burger. Nortje, focusing on T20 cricket, was not considered for selection.

Upcoming Test Series and WTC Ambitions

South Africa’s first-choice Test players have not seen action since the New Year’s Test against India, which they lost. The team has eight more Tests scheduled in this World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, including two in the West Indies, two in Bangladesh, and home series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. South Africa sits seventh in the WTC points table and aims to compete for a spot in the final.

“We need to win at least seven out of eight Tests to give ourselves a good crack at the WTC final,” Conrad said. “Every Test series is going to be challenging, but we can achieve the right results by playing to our full potential.”

Those squad members not involved in the MLC or on the county circuit—Bavuma, Breetzke, de Zorzi, Mulder, Paterson, Stubbs, and Verreynne—will participate in a four-day training camp in Durban before departing for the West Indies. The first Test is scheduled for August 7 in Trinidad, followed by the second in Guyana a week later.