South Africa have dropped Tristan Stubbs from their 17-member squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha and called up Matthew Breetzke, head coach Shukri Conrad announced on Thursday, after the 214-run defeat in the first Test in Durban.
One casualty from the Durban defeat
Stubbs, who managed just 33 runs in his two innings at Kingsmead, is the only casualty from the first-Test squad. His replacement, Breetzke, has played only two Tests for South Africa — against Bangladesh in 2024 and Zimbabwe in 2025 — and has 14 Test runs to his name, but Conrad said the batter's red-hot ODI form, including a century in the first ODI against Australia last month, had given him "an inside lane".
"Matt has been part of the squad before and the fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and also, more importantly, the attitude and the character Matt brings, and has, will go a long way," Conrad said.
Wicketkeeping reshuffle
Ryan Rickelton will take the wicketkeeping gloves from Kyle Verreynne, who remains in the 17-member squad but looks set to miss out on the playing XI after going without a Test fifty in his last 13 innings. Conrad said a decision was still to be made on whether Rickelton continues to open the batting while keeping, or moves down the order — putting Breetzke in contention to open with Aiden Markram. Tony de Zorzi misses out again with the hamstring injury he suffered in last month's ODI series.
Lead fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who sat out the Durban Test as a precaution because of long-standing hamstring trouble, is expected to be fit to play.
The road ahead
The second Test begins on Sunday, October 18, at St George's Park in Gqeberha, with the third and final Test scheduled for October 27–31 in Cape Town. South Africa sit third in the World Test Championship standings behind Australia and New Zealand, making the next two Tests critical for their campaign.
Sources: Reuters, ESPNcricinfo, ABP Live
One casualty from the Durban defeat
Stubbs, who managed just 33 runs in his two innings at Kingsmead, is the only casualty from the first-Test squad. His replacement, Breetzke, has played only two Tests for South Africa — against Bangladesh in 2024 and Zimbabwe in 2025 — and has 14 Test runs to his name, but Conrad said the batter's red-hot ODI form, including a century in the first ODI against Australia last month, had given him "an inside lane".
"Matt has been part of the squad before and the fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and also, more importantly, the attitude and the character Matt brings, and has, will go a long way," Conrad said.
Wicketkeeping reshuffle
Ryan Rickelton will take the wicketkeeping gloves from Kyle Verreynne, who remains in the 17-member squad but looks set to miss out on the playing XI after going without a Test fifty in his last 13 innings. Conrad said a decision was still to be made on whether Rickelton continues to open the batting while keeping, or moves down the order — putting Breetzke in contention to open with Aiden Markram. Tony de Zorzi misses out again with the hamstring injury he suffered in last month's ODI series.
Lead fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who sat out the Durban Test as a precaution because of long-standing hamstring trouble, is expected to be fit to play.
The road ahead
The second Test begins on Sunday, October 18, at St George's Park in Gqeberha, with the third and final Test scheduled for October 27–31 in Cape Town. South Africa sit third in the World Test Championship standings behind Australia and New Zealand, making the next two Tests critical for their campaign.
Sources: Reuters, ESPNcricinfo, ABP Live
