South Africa on Wednesday announced its 12-member squad and named 6 uncapped players for the upcoming ODI Tri-Series against Pakistan and New Zealand in Pakistan. The Proteas have called Gerald Coetzee back to the team after the fast bowler recovered from the hamstring injury that restricted that restircted to participate in the ongoing South Africa T20 League (SA20) 2025. The tri-series will begin on February 8 in Pakistan, with the host country taking against New Zealand. South Africa will play against the Black Caps in Lahore on February 10. Notably, Cricket South Africa (CSA) hasn't yet mentioned the substitute for injured Anrich Nortje in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy team. Coetzee might be selected as Nortje's successor, since the deadline to make changes for the big tournament is till February 11.
This series coincides with the SA20 knockout stages, in which South Africa's centrally contracted players are needed to play the series. MI Cape Town won Qualifier 1 on Tuesday evening, defeating Paarl Royals to advance to the final. Besides this 12-member squad, further players are expected to be added if Sunrisers Eastern Cape or Joburg Super Kings are ousted tonight.
Significant series for participating teams before the Champions Trophy 2025
The upcoming tri-series is quite crucial for all three participating teams, since it will help them in preparing for the most-awaited Champions Trophy that begins in Pakistan (with India's matches hosted in Dubai) on February 19.
Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen will not play in the tri-series. They will depart for Pakistan on February 14, the same day as the Tri-Series Final in Karachi.
Six of the 12 players are uncapped and have never played an ODI. Matthew Breetzke has played only one Test and ten T20Is, while Senuran Muthusamy has played four Tests. None of the other five have appeared in an international match. Mihlali Mpongwana, an all-rounder, was called up for ODI and T20I series against India in 2023 and 2024, respectively, but didn't get to play a single match.
Meanwhile, Eathan Bosch's brother Corbin made his debut against Pakistan, and fast bowler Gideon Peters had an impressive SA20 debut for Pretoria Capitals against the Johannesburg Super Kings. The squad's last uncapped player is Meeka-eel Prince, a 20-year-old wicketkeeper who has five U19 caps.
South Africa 12-member squad for first ODI of the tri-series
Temba Bavuma (capt), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith, Kyle Verreynne
