Temba Bavuma out of Zimbabwe tour, Keshav Maharaj to captain Proteas
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.
The 35-year-old batted through the injury in the final in a move that helped steer the Proteas to a five-wicket victory over Australia, securing the country's first ICC trophy in 27 years.
No replacement has been named for Bavuma, and in his absence, Keshav Maharaj will captain the side for the first time in Tests.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, having also played a key role in the Test Championship final last week, where he took three wickets in the second innings, including that of Steve Smith, is only available for selection for the second Test of the tour.
With the two senior players not available for selection in the first Test, it means that South Africa's uncapped players, including Lesego Senokwane, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Codi Yusuf and Prenelan Subrayen, could get their maiden baggy greens at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
Capped batters, Matthew Breetzke and Zubayr Hamza, are also in with a good chance to have yet another crack in Test cricket, having last played Test cricket last year.
Tony de Zorzi, who did not play in the New Year's Test match against Pakistan earlier this year and the Test Championship final at Lord's last week, will have a crucial opportunity to play against Zimbabwe and challenge for the opening spot when the full-strength team returns to action later this year.
The two Test matches do not fall within the 2025-2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle but will play a key role in giving the fringe players an important exposure to Test cricket and thus widen the talent pool for the Test team.
The squad will depart for Bulawayo on Tuesday, 24 June, from OR Tambo International Airport. The first Test gets underway on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 06 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club.
South Africa Test Squad against Zimbabwe
Keshav Maharaj (captain), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne and Codi Yusuf.
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