South Africa have made four changes to their playing eleven XI, which played the World Test Championship (WTC) final, as they are set to take on Zimbabwe for the Thank You series. With a lot of seniors players resting, three players- Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis and Codi Yusuf – will be making their Test debuts.
Keshav Maharaj will lead the side for the first time, as Temba Bavuma will miss the series due to a hamstring injury.
Three uncapped players — Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, and Codi Yusuf — will make their debut on Saturday.
Pretorius is emerging as a teenage star in the South African cricket circuit. He had a fantastic domestic season, scoring three centuries in the CSA 4-Day Series and finishing with an average of 72.66.
Codi Yusuf is considered a promising talent, having taken 23 wickets in the 4-Day Series.
Brevis, who recently performed well in the Indian Premier League, has been regarded as a standout talent since his U-19 days. He also finished the domestic season as the second-highest run-scorer.
Tony de Zorzi and Matthew Breetzke will open the innings, replacing Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, who opened in the WTC Final. Corbin Bosch comes in for Marco Jansen, while Kwena Maphaka will be the other pacer in the lineup.
After winning the WTC Final in England, South Africa will be in action for the first time against Zimbabwe.
This two-Test series will not be part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
South Africa playing XI:
Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (Wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (Captain), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka
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