Walter announces SA squads to face Afghanistan and Ireland

football09 September 2024 12:32| © Cricket SA

Temba Bavuma © Gallo Images

White-ball head coach Rob Walter on Monday announced the squads for the upcoming one-day international (ODI) series against Afghanistan and the proceeding white-ball tour against Ireland, which get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month.

Hollywoodbets Dolphins allrounder Jason Smith and DP World Lions spinner Nqaba Peter, who are both capped in T20 Internationals (T20I), have earned their maiden ODI call-ups.

Dolphins allrounder Andile Simelane will gain exposure to the national set-up for the first time after being named in both the ODI squad against Afghanistan and T20I side against Ireland. The 21-year-old, identified as a high-potential talent, was part of the SA Emerging tour of Zimbabwe in August and most recently represented South Africa A in the one-day series against Sri Lanka A.

Proteas seamer Lungi Ngidi has recovered from his right calf injury and has been named in all three squads.

The Proteas will face Afghanistan in three ODIs from 18 - 22 September at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, before heading to Abu Dhabi for two T20Is on 27 and 29 September and three ODIs from 2 - 7 October against Ireland. All five matches will be played at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

White-ball head coach Rob Walter has today announced the squads for the upcoming One-Day International (ODI) series against Afghanistan and the proceeding white-ball tour against Ireland, which get underway in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later this month.

The Proteas will… pic.twitter.com/CxqsY618Kr
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 9, 2024

OPPORTUNITIES FOR 'FRINGE PLAYERS'

Commenting on the selection of the squads, Walter said: “We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months.

“This has been a deliberate move from management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major ICC tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the 50-over World Cup in 2027.

“There is no doubt that tours such as these offer us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to.

“I am particularly looking forward to seeing how some of the more experienced players step up, while keeping a close eye on who can grab this opportunity and become more regular within the national set-up.”

Nqaba Peter and Andile Simelane have been selected in the Proteas ODI squad series against Afghanistan 👏🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/3ZUYfIVPtC
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) September 9, 2024

SOUTH AFRICA ODI SQUAD AGAINST AFGHANISTAN

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

SOUTH AFRICA T20I SQUAD AGAINST IRELAND

Aiden Markram (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Reeza Hendricks (DP World Lions), Patrick Kruger (Dafabet Warriors), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Andile Simelane (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

SOUTH AFRICA ODI SQUAD AGAINST IRELAND

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nandre Burger (World Sports Betting Western Province), Tony de Zorzi (World Sports betting Western Province), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Andile Phehlukwayo (Momentum Multiply Titans), Nqaba Peter (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Jason Smith (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (World Sports Betting Western Province) and Lizaad Williams (Momentum Multiply Titans).

The squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan will depart for the UAE on Saturday, 14 September.

FIXTURES (all times local)

ODI series against Afghanistan

Wednesday, 18 September at 16:00

Afghanistan v South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Friday, 20 September at 16:00

Afghanistan v South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Sunday, 22 September at 16:00

Afghanistan v South Africa - Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

White-ball Tour against Ireland

T20I SERIES

Friday, 27 September at 19:30