South Africa have left Tristan Stubbs out of their squad for the second Test against Australia, which starts on October 18 in Gqeberha. The decision follows the Proteas’ defeat in the series opener.
Cricket South Africa has brought back Matthew Breetzke in Stubbs’ place. He is the only change to the 17-man group that played the first Test in Durban.
Breetzke recalled as Stubbs makes way
Stubbs struggled to have an impact in the opening match, scoring 32 and one across his two innings. The Proteas lost that game to the visitors.
Breetzke, who is 27, returns to the red-ball setup with limited experience at the highest level. He has played two Tests, debuting against Bangladesh in October 2024 and later facing Zimbabwe in July 2025. Across three Test innings he has managed just 14 runs.
Still, the national selectors have been impressed by his recent limited-overs performances. He has not played a first-class match since February, as he missed the domestic season while on duty with South Africa’s white-ball squads in Namibia and against Australia.
Head coach Shukri Conrad said Breetzke’s recent ODI form, along with his attitude and character, played a major part in the choice. “Matt has been part of the squad before,” Conrad said.
Rickelton’s wicketkeeping role could reshape the XI
Although only one player has changed, South Africa could field a noticeably different playing XI in Gqeberha. Conrad confirmed that Ryan Rickelton will take over the wicketkeeping duties, which casts doubt on Kyle Verreynne’s place in the starting lineup.
Verreynne remains part of the squad, but he has struggled for runs recently. He has not reached a Test half-century in his last 13 innings.
The team management has yet to decide where Rickelton will bat. Moving him down the order is being considered, and that would mean finding a new opening partner for Aiden Markram. “With Ricks taking the gloves, there are decisions to be made over whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting, which he has done before,” Conrad said.
Conrad acknowledged that several selection calls remained before the second Test, but he expressed confidence that the team could recover from the opening loss. “There’s a few things to consider before we look at the final XI, but we are hell of excited,” he said. “But we have had the opportunity to lick our wounds and turn this ship in the right direction.”
Rabada returns to bolster South Africa’s pace attack
South Africa are also expected to get a major boost from the return of experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. He missed the Durban Test while recovering from a hamstring problem.
Rabada is expected to be available for selection in Gqeberha. He will join a pace attack that also includes Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch.
Full South Africa squad for the second Test
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Marques Ackerman
- David Bedingham
- Matthew Breetzke
- Corbin Bosch
- Gerald Coetzee
- Simon Harmer
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Anrich Nortje
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Kyle Verreynne
