South Africa Captain Temba Bavuma Out of Pakistan Test Series; Quinton de Kock Returns

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma will miss the upcoming Test series in Pakistan due to a calf injury. Aiden Markram will lead the team in his place. Bavuma is expected to return for the India tour in November. Spinner Simon Harmer rejoins the Test squad, and Keshav Maharaj will play only in the second Test as he recovers from a groin strain.

The team will train in Pretoria on October 5–6 before flying to Lahore on October 7. Coach Shukri Conrad said experienced players are ready to handle spin-friendly conditions in Pakistan.

In white-ball cricket, Quinton de Kock has reversed his ODI retirement and returns for the Pakistan tour, also playing in T20Is. David Miller will captain the T20Is, and Matthew Breetzke will lead the ODIs. New players include all-rounder Donovan Ferreira and wicketkeeper Sinethemba Qeshile.

South Africa will also play a T20I against Namibia on October 11, the first international match at the new Namibia Cricket Ground in Windhoek.

South Africa Test Squad vs Pakistan: Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (2nd Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne.

T20I Squad: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams.

ODI Squad: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile.

Namibia T20I Squad: Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Lizaad Williams.