South Africa has announced a fresh set of players for their upcoming One Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the United Arab Emirates. The series begins next week and sees three new faces making their debut in the ODI format: Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, and Jason Smith. Adding to his debut, Simelane has also been included in the T20 squad for the two matches against Ireland.
The Proteas will first face Afghanistan in three ODIs in Sharjah, starting on September 18. Following that, they will play two T20s against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, and then wrap up the tour with three ODIs against the Irish at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.
While Peter and Smith have prior experience in the T20 format, this marks their first appearance in an ODI squad. Coach Rob Walter explained the team’s decision to bring in new players, stating, “We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months. This has been a deliberate move, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.”
Adding to the squad’s roster, seamer Lungi Ngidi has fully recovered from a right calf injury and will feature in all three squads. South Africa, having finished as runners-up at the T20 World Cup in June, are coming off a 3-0 T20 series defeat in the West Indies last month. Their last ODI series was in December 2022, where India emerged victorious, winning 2-1 in South Africa.
Here are the full squads for the upcoming series:
ODI squad against Afghanistan:
Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.
T20 squad against Ireland:
Aiden Markram (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams.
ODI squad against Ireland:
Temba Bavuma, Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams.This series presents an exciting opportunity for the new players to make their mark on the international stage and contribute to South Africa’s ongoing preparation for major tournaments in the coming years.
