The South African cricket selectors have unveiled their 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, setting the stage for their campaign in the subcontinent. The tournament, to be jointly hosted by defending champions India and Sri Lanka, will run from February 7 to March 8, 2026.
New Faces and Notable Omissions in Proteas Squad
Captain Aiden Markram will lead the side, which features a blend of experience and fresh talent. In a significant development, seven players have received their maiden T20 World Cup call-ups. The newcomers include Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, and Jason Smith, all rewarded for their impressive performances in recent series.
However, the squad announcement came with a couple of surprises. Big-hitting batsman Tristan Stubbs and opener Ryan Rickelton were notable omissions. In contrast, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock retained his place. In a boost for the pace attack, Kagiso Rabada returns to the T20I setup after missing the recent white-ball series against India due to a rib injury.
Road to the World Cup and Group Stage Fixtures
The Proteas are coming off a 3-1 T20I series loss to India in late 2025. Their final preparation before the global event will be a three-match T20I series at home against the West Indies, scheduled from January 27 to January 31, 2026.
Thereafter, the team will travel to India for the World Cup, where they have been placed in Group D. Their group stage opponents are Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
South Africa will begin their World Cup campaign on February 9, 2026, against Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Their subsequent group matches are as follows:
- vs Afghanistan on February 11 (Ahmedabad)
- vs New Zealand on February 14 (Ahmedabad)
- vs UAE on February 18 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi
Squad Composition and Outlook
The full squad is: Aiden Markram (c), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje.
The selection indicates a strategic shift, banking on players in form and introducing new energy. The inclusion of multiple all-rounders and spin options like Maharaj and Linde suggests a plan tailored for Indian conditions. All eyes will now be on the warm-up series against the West Indies to see how this new-look squad gels together before their quest for the T20 World Cup trophy begins in Ahmedabad.
