South African skipper Temba Bavuma has been sidelined from the forthcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe because of a left hamstring strain he picked up in last week’s World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s. Bavuma, who will be subjected to additional scans to ascertain the severity of the injury, fought through the pain in the second innings and contributed a game-changing knock of 66 coupled with Aiden Markram’s 136 that saw them win the WTC.
Without Bavuma, the world champions will be spearheaded by spinner Keshav Maharaj in the series which commences from June 28 in Bulawayo. The series will also serve as the commencement of the new WTC cycle for both teams.
CSA Confirms Injury and Captaincy Change
“Proteas Men’s Test captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the upcoming two-match Test series against Zimbabwe due to a left hamstring strain,” Cricket South Africa wrote on X.
“Bavuma sustained the injury while batting during South Africa’s second innings on day three of the ICC World Test Championship Final against Australia at Lord’s Cricket Ground. He is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury. Keshav Maharaj will captain the side in his absence,” it added.
South Africa Rests Key Players; Names Five Uncapped Stars
Proteas team has five uncapped players as South Africa have decided to rest some of their first-choice all-format players, such as Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada. Lungi Ngidi, their pace bowler, will be available only for the second Test.
This is Bavuma’s third hamstring injury in less than two years. He had one earlier in the 2023 ODI World Cup, where he took the field for the semi-final with the injury, and again at the Boxing Day Test against India. He has also been working through ongoing elbow problems and often plays with his left elbow heavily strapped.
In the wake of the Zimbabwe series – where Bavuma is expected to come back – South Africa’s immediate future is filled with ODIs against Australia in August and England in September. Their next WTC expedition starts with Pakistan in October before the tour of India in November.
No Home Test for South Africa Until 2026
Interestingly, South Africa will not have a home Test until October 2026 when they host Australia. Bavuma has indicated his hope of continuing playing through until the 2027 home ODI World Cup, if his fitness holds out.
South Africa Squad for Zimbabwe Series
South Africa team: David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Keshav Maharaj (captain), Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi (second Test only), Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne, Codi Yusuf.