ITEC Knights pacemen Gerald Coetzee has earned his maiden call up to the Proteas Test squad. The 22-year-old has garnered 40 wickets at an average of 28.82. He also has a career-best 4-47 in his 13 first-class matches thus far. 

Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) National Selection Committee has today named the 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia. Then tour gets underway at the Gabba in Brisbane from 17 December. 

MORE INCLUSIONS

There is also a recall for Theunis de Bruyn, who last featured for the national side in 2019. The right-hander, who has 12 Test caps, has enjoyed success with the Momentum Multiply Titans in the CSA 4-Day Domestic Series. He achieved a first-class average of 41.83. Including a title-winning 143 in the final round of matches last term. 

Rassie van der Dussen has also recovered from the finger injury that cut short his tour to England. Keshav Maharaj is cleared for the tour. The spinner sustained a low-grade groin muscle injury at the T20 World Cup in Australia. He is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation.

Wicketkeeper Heinrich Klaasen replaces Ryan Rickelton. The DP World Lions gloveman has an ankle injury that forced him to be overlooked by the national selectors. But allows him to still be picked by his domestic team.

Meanwhile, top-order batter Keegan Petersen is also unavailable for selection after sustaining a severe injury to his hamstring playing for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in the CSA T20 Challenge final in Potchefstroom earlier this month.  

The squad will depart for Australia on 01 December. Dean Elgar’s side will play an unofficial four-day match against Cricket Australia XI from 09 – 12 December at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. 

PROTEAS TEST SQUAD AGAINST AUSTRALIA

Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), Temba Bavuma (DP World Lions), Gerald Coetzee (ITEC Knights), Theunis de Bruyn (Momentum Multiply Titans), Sarel Erwee (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Simon Harmer (Momentum Multiply Titans), Marco Jansen (Gbets Warriors), Heinrich Klaasen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Anrich Nortje (Gbets Warriors), Kagiso Rabada (Imperial Lions), Glenton Stuurman (Gbets Warriors), Rassie van der Dussen (DP World Lions), Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper, Six Gun Grill Western Province), Khaya Zondo (Hollywoodbets Dolphins).