South Africa Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain, as confirmed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a media release on Friday, 20 June. In his absence, Keshav Maharaj will lead the national side in Tests for the first time. No replacement has been named for Bavuma.
The injury occurred while Bavuma was batting during South Africa’s second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final against Australia at Lord’s. He will undergo further scans to determine the full extent of the damage.
South Africa will also be without key players Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, who have all been rested. The absence of these regulars paves the way for the team to try some fresh faces, with five uncapped players named in the squad — Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Dewald Brevis, Codi Yusuf, and Prenelan Subrayen.
With senior players unavailable, the spotlight now shifts to these newcomers, who will be in contention to earn their Test debuts when the series kicks off. Both matches will be held at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo — the first from 28 June and the second beginning 6 July. The team is scheduled to depart for Bulawayo on 24 June.
While the series falls outside the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle, it presents a valuable opportunity to give emerging talents a taste of the longest format and strengthen the depth of South Africa’s Test pool.
South Africa Test Squad vs Zimbabwe:
Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf.