Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has dropped Tristan Stubbs from the squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, IOL reported.
Matthew Breetzke has been called up to replace him in the 17-player squad. The match at St George’s Park starts on Sunday.
“One change to the squad is that Tristan Stubbs unfortunately misses out and Matthew Breetzke replaces him,” Conrad said.
The changes follow South Africa’s 214-run defeat to Australia in the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban.
Stubbs, 26, had a poor ODI series before the first Test. He then failed twice with the bat in Durban, according to IOL.
Breetzke plays with Stubbs for the Warriors and Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He was one of the batters in form during the ODI series and could play his third Test.
“Matt’s obviously been part of the squad before, where he played the one Test match in Bangladesh and had another go in Zimbabwe,” Conrad said.
“The fact that his 50-over and his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane,” the coach said. He added that Breetzke’s attitude and character would also help.
Conrad also made a change behind the stumps. Kyle Verreynne will hand the wicketkeeping duties to Ryan Rickelton.
Verreynne, who plays for the Cobras, stays in the squad for the Gqeberha match.
“The other noteworthy news would be that Ryan Rickelton will be taking the gloves in the second Test,” Conrad said.
The coach said a decision is still to be made on whether Rickelton moves down the batting order. He has been opening the batting.
“There are obviously decisions to be made whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting and take the gloves as he has done before,” Conrad said.
Cobras batter Tony de Zorzi was not considered for selection. He is still recovering from a left hamstring injury.
Conrad said the team had moved on from the defeat in Durban. IOL said St George’s Park has been a good venue for South Africa against Australia over the years.
“We’ve had the opportunity to lick our wounds and make sure we turn the ship in the right direction now, and there’s no better place to start than Gqeberha,” he said.
Conrad said the weather forecast for day one was not good. He said conditions would be checked before the final team is picked.
The squad is Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.
Also included are Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL. Image: IOL. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.