WTC Glory Comes at a Cost: Bavuma Out of Zimbabwe Series with Hamstring Injury
South Africa will be without their World Test Championship 2025-winning skipper, Temba Bavuma, for the upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe, after the 34-year-old suffered a left hamstring strain during the WTC final against Australia at Lord’s. Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed the news through an official statement released on Friday, June 20.
Bavuma sustained the injury while batting on Day 3 of the second innings, just days before lifting the prestigious WTC mace. He will undergo further scans to assess the extent of the damage. In his absence, senior spinner Keshav Maharaj will take over captaincy duties for the short tour.
The Proteas have also opted to rest key players including Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Tristan Stubbs for the series, which will see several fresh faces donning the whites. A total of five uncapped players – Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Codi Yusuf, Dewald Brevis, and Prenelan Subrayen – have been included in the trimmed 15-member squad.
The first Test begins on June 28, followed by the second on July 6. Both matches will be hosted at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo, with the South African squad set to depart on June 24.
Updated South Africa Test squad: Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (2nd Test), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf
