South Africa announce 16-man squad for SA vs PAK 2024 Test series; Uncapped all-rounder included

With South Africa barely a step away from reaching the World Test Championship (WTC) final, CSA has announced a 16-man squad for their last series of the cycle against Pakistan. Pace-bowling all-rounder Corbin Bosch has received his maiden call-up, while Keshav Maharaj has gotten the nod despite dealing with a groin injury.

Maharaj went down with an 'acute groin strain' while warming up for the first ODI against Pakistan in Paarl, forcing him to miss the fixture. The left-arm spinner will undergo a scan late on Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. Should Maharaj be unavailable, South Africa will include Senuran Muthusamy, who is the other spin-bowling all-rounder in the squad.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder is in the final part of his recovery from a finger injury and has also been included. Should the seam-bowling all-rounder passed fit in time for the opening Test against Pakistan, batter Matthew Breetzke will be released from the squad.

Bosch, meanwhile, averages 40.46 with the bat in 34 first-class matches. He alsol has a bowling average of 36.75, having picked up 72 scalps. Kwena Maphaka is another uncapped pacer in the squad.

South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk).

South Africa to manage their available fast bowlers carefully

Meanwhile, the Proteas are aiming to not overwork their available fast bowlers, especially with the Champions Trophy 2025 looming. Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen featured in the first ODI against Pakistan but are unlikely to take to the field in both of the remaining matches.

The likes of Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams are currently unavailable. Temba Bavuma and Co. need only one more victory to guarantee a place in the WTC final, set to take place at Lord's in June 2025.

The opening Test against Pakistan will begin on December 26 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. The second is the New Year's Test, set to take place at Newlands in Cape Town.