South Africa have called on uncapped all-rounder and Corbin Bosch for the crucial two-Test home series against Pakistan that starts in Pretoria on Dec. 26, but will offer injured Wiaan Mulder time to prove his fitness.

All-rounder Mulder missed the second test win over Sri Lanka earlier this month with a fractured middle finger, having been a key part of the South Africa side hoping to seal a place in the ICC World Test Championship final with a win over Pakistan.

South Africa, who currently top the table, need victory in one of the two matches in the series to book a place at the Lords final in June next year, with the second fixture starting in Cape Town on Jan. 3.

Coach Shukri Conrad has named an expanded 16-player squad for the Pakistan games to cover for Mulder, with uncapped 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka also part of the selection.

“We have added Corbin to the mix. His all-round ability with both bat and ball adds depth and his pace brings an extra bite to our attack, so were excited to see him make that step up to Test cricket,” Conrad said.

Corbin, 30, is the son of former seamer Tertius Bos­ch, who played in South Africa’s first Test back in international cricket agai­nst the West Indies in 1992. That was his only cap before he died from Guill­ai­nBarre syndrome aged 33 in 2000.

Spinner Keshav Mah­araj has also been selected des­pite pulling out of the first One-day International aga­i­­nst Pakistan on Tues­day with an acute groin strain.

Senuran Muthusamy is the only other specialist spinner in the squad for the Centurion Park Test on a wicket that is likely to favour the seamers.

“We are keeping a close eye on Kesh (Maharaj) and hope his injury is not too serious,” Conrad said.

Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.

Published in Dawn, December 19th, 2024