Keshav Maharaj will captain South Africa in their upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe, stepping in for regular skipper Temba Bavuma, who is unavailable due to injury.
Bavuma, who led South Africa to their first-ever ICC Test Championship title, will miss the Zimbabwe series after sustaining a hamstring injury during the final against Australia at Lord’s last week. The injury, which occurred while he was batting on Day 3, still requires further assessment, and a fresh scan will be conducted to determine its severity.
South Africa ended a 27-year ICC title drought by defeating Australia by five wickets in the Test Championship Final. Bavuma suffered the injury while batting on 6 runs in the second innings but chose to carry on until the tea break, despite medical advice to the contrary.
After the match, Bavuma said, “I went against the advice of the medical team because I didn’t want to walk away during such a crucial phase of the game.” He eventually scored a crucial 66 off 134 balls, building a 137-run third-wicket partnership with Aiden Markram, who went on to score a match-winning century and was named Player of the Final.
Following the Zimbabwe series, South Africa’s next assignment will be an ODI series against Australia in August, followed by another ODI series against England in September. They will begin their new World Test Championship cycle in October with a series against Pakistan. Notably, South Africa won’t play any home Tests until October 2026.
Bavuma, 35, has hinted that he aims to continue playing until the 2027 ODI World Cup, fitness permitting.
Cricket South Africa had already named a 16-man squad earlier this month for the Zimbabwe tour. On Friday, they confirmed Bavuma’s unavailability but chose not to name a replacement, reducing the squad to 15 players.
Regulars such as Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, and Kagiso Rabada have been rested for the series. Five uncapped players are included in the squad and could make their Test debuts.
While Maharaj has previously captained South Africa in seven ODIs and five T20Is, this will be his first time leading the side in Test cricket. He becomes South Africa’s 41st Test captain.
The first Test will begin on June 28 in Bulawayo, with the second set for July 6 at the same venue.
South Africa Test Squad
Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Khaya Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (second Test only), Luan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Kuda Yusuf.
