South Africa have made a significant change to their squad ahead of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, with Tristan Stubbs losing his place following a disappointing performance in the series opener. The Proteas, who suffered a defeat in Durban, will be looking to bounce back in the upcoming encounter.
Tristan Stubbs dropped after disappointing Durban Test
Stubbs has become the only player to be excluded from South Africa’s squad following their defeat in the first Test. The right-handed batter struggled to make an impact in Durban, registering scores of 32 and 1 across his two innings. His exclusion comes despite an impressive knock of 94 in his previous Test appearance against India, approximately 11 months earlier.
Meanwhile, Matthew Breetzke has earned a recall as the team management considers adjustments to its batting combination. Breetzke has been selected as his replacement, although his experience in the longest format remains limited. The 27-year-old has represented South Africa in two Tests, against Bangladesh in October 2024 and Zimbabwe in July 2025, scoring just 14 runs. At the domestic level, Breetzke has maintained a first-class batting average of 37.03.
However, he has not featured in a first-class fixture since February, having spent recent months with South Africa’s white-ball squads. His selection appears to have been influenced by his recent limited-overs performances, particularly his century against Australia in the first ODI in Durban. The Proteas management will be hoping he can carry that confidence into Test cricket.
Ryan Rickelton set to keep wickets as South Africa consider batting changes
Breetzke’s inclusion is not the only development that could reshape South Africa’s batting order. Head coach Shukri Conrad has confirmed that Ryan Rickelton will take over wicketkeeping responsibilities for the second Test. This decision leaves Kyle Verreynne facing an uncertain future in the playing XI.
Verreynne has failed to register a half-century in his previous 13 Test innings, although he remains part of the 17-member squad. South Africa must now decide whether Rickelton will continue opening alongside Aiden Markram while keeping wickets or move into the middle order.
Tony de Zorzi, who regularly partnered Markram during the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle, remains unavailable because of a hamstring injury. Consequently, Breetzke could be considered for the opening position, while uncapped batter Marques Ackerman is another option despite primarily batting in the middle order.
Kagiso Rabada expected to return for Gqeberha Test
South Africa could receive a major boost in the bowling department, with Kagiso Rabada expected to recover from the hamstring problem that ruled him out of the Durban Test. Rabada is among seven fast bowlers retained in the squad. Meanwhile, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy remain the three spin options, although only one is expected to feature.
South Africa squad for 2nd Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne
