Champions Trophy South Africa Squad

Just days after South Africa announced their squad for the upcoming Champions Trophy, they were dealt a blow as Anrich Nortje had to withdraw due to a recurring back injury.

To fill the void, the Proteas have named 30-year-old Corbin Bosch as his replacement. Bosch, who made his international debut in December last year, has limited experience at this level, having played just one ODI and a single Test match.

In addition to Bosch, South Africa have included young pacer Kwena Maphaka as a travelling reserve for the tournament.

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi has secured a place in the Champions Trophy squad despite missing the entire home international season due to injuries. Ngidi had been sidelined before the summer with a groin issue but made his return to competitive cricket in the SA20, representing the Paarl Royals.

The 15-member squad will be led by Temba Bavuma and features ten players from the team that reached the semi-finals of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Among the fresh faces, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi, and Ryan Rickelton are set to play in their first senior ICC tournament.

South Africa will rely on a strong pace attack, with Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder forming the core of their fast-bowling unit. However, there was no place for Andile Phehlukwayo. The squad also includes two frontline spinners—Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi—while Aiden Markram provides an extra spin option. Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin was left out as the selectors felt an additional spinner wasn’t necessary.

One of the key selection dilemmas for the Proteas comes at the top of the order, as they will be competing in their first ICC event without Quinton de Kock since 2014. De Kock retired from ODIs following the 2023 World Cup, leaving South Africa still searching for a settled opening partner for Bavuma.

Potential top-order candidates include Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs, while the middle order is packed with power hitters like David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen, both of whom have been in action in the SA20. Notably, Bavuma and de Zorzi are the only players in the squad who are not part of the franchise T20 league. However, they recently traveled with the national team for a tri-series in Pakistan, which concluded on February 14.

Placed in Group B of the Champions Trophy, South Africa will begin their campaign against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21. They will then face Australia in Rawalpindi on February 25 before wrapping up the group stage with a clash against England on March 1.

ICC Champions Trophy 2025 - South Africa group stage fixtures

21 February: Afghanistan vs South Africa – The National Stadium, Karachi

25 February: Australia vs South Africa – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

01 March: South Africa vs England – The National Stadium, Karachi

South Africa squad - ICC Champions Trophy 2025

Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, and Rassie van der Dussen.

Travelling reserve: Kwena Maphaka