JOHANNESBURG: Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee was on Wednesday named in a below-strength South African squad for the first match of a tri-series tournament in Pakistan leading into the Champions Trophy in the same country.
Coetzee has recovered from a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the current SA20 franchise competition in South Africa.
He is set to replace the injured Anrich Nortje in the Champions Trophy if he proves his fitness in tri-nation series matches against New Zealand and hosts Pakistan.
Most South African leading players are involved in the closing stages of the SA20.
The squad for South Africa’s match against New Zealand in Lahore on Monday includes only two players confirmed for the Champions Trophy, captain Temba Bavuma and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder.
Among four players uncapped at international level is Eathan Bosch, son of former Test player Tertius Bosch and brother of Corbin Bosch, who made his Test and One-day International debut against Pakistan in recent home series.
More players will be added to the squad depending on the result of a SA20 knockout match on Wednesday.
Keshav Maharaj and Heinrich Klaasen miss the first match but will be available for the second ODI against Pakistan in Karachi on Feb. 12.
South African ODI regulars Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen will not take part in the tri-nation series but have already been named in the squad for the Champions Trophy.
Tri-nation series squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Eathan Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Junior Dala, Wiaan Mulder, Mihlali Mpongwana, Senuran Muthusamy, Gideon Peters, Meeka-eel Prince, Jason Smith and Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper).
Champions Trophy squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2025
