Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled a 14-player squad poised to take on New Zealand in a two-match Test series next month. The Proteas will be captained by Momentum Multiply Titans batter Neil Brand, who will lead a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers eager to make their mark on the international stage.
Key Highlights:
- Neil Brand Takes Helm as Captain: Brand, fresh off a 2-1 series victory against West Indies A, will now steer the Proteas in their New Zealand quest.
- Experience Meets Youthful Exuberance: The squad features a balance of established players like David Bedingham, Keegan Petersen, Zubayr Hamza, Khaya Zondo, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, and Dane Piedt, alongside seven uncapped talents ready to make their Test debuts.
- New Zealand Conditions Present a Test: The Proteas will be tested in the challenging conditions of New Zealand, known for its green pitches and seam-friendly bowling.
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Momentum Multiply Titans batter Neil Brand will captain the side that includes Test batters David Bedingham and Keegan Petersen, who are currently involved in the ongoing Betway Test series against India, along with Zubayr Hamza who has been called up for the New Year’s Test.
Brand, 27, was born in Johannesburg South Africa but attended high school in England at King’s College, Taunton.
Experienced Players and Promising Newcomers
The experienced Khaya Zondo has also been named in the squad along with pace pair Duanne Olivier and Dane Paterson, as well as spinner Dane Piedt who will look to add to their Test caps.
Brand, who led South Africa A to a 2-1 series win over West Indies A earlier this month, is one of seven uncapped players – the others being batter Raynard van Tonder, all-rounders Ruan de Swardt and Mihlali Mpongwana, seam bowler Tshepo Moreki, spinner Shaun von Berg and wicketkeeper Clyde Fortuin.
Full squad:
Neil Brand (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans)
David Bedingham (Western Province)
Ruan de Swardt (North West Dragons)
Clyde Fortuin (Gbets Rocks)
Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions)
Tshepo Moreki (DP World Lions)
Mihlali Mpongwana (Western Province)
Duanne Olivier (DP World Lions)
Dane Paterson (Western Province)
Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks)
Dane Piedt (ITEC Knights)
Raynard van Tonder (North West Dragons)
Shaun von Berg (Gbets Rocks)
Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
Test Head Coach Shukri Conrad Optimistic
Test head coach Shukri Conrad said: “Firstly I would like to congratulate the players that will be going on a Proteas tour for the first time. It is a real honour to represent your country, so they should savour the moment.
“The players picked for this tour have every chance of challenging New Zealand and we have full confidence they will do exactly that when we arrive for the first Test match at Mount Maunganui.
“Most of these guys participated in the recent ‘A’ series against West Indies where they showed that they have what it takes against players of international calibre. That experience will no doubt leave them in a better position for what we expect to be a testing series in New Zealand.”
Tour Itinerary
Warm-up Match
29 – 31 January at 11:00 local time
New Zealand XI vs South Africa – Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University
Test Series
04 – 08 February at 11:00 local time
New Zealand vs South Africa – Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
13 – 17 February at 11:00 local time
New Zealand vs South Africa – Seddon Park, Hamilton
