AUSTRALIA TOUR TO SA
Zaahier Adams|Updated
Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has taken decisive action after his team's 214-run first Test defeat to Australia at Kingsmead earlier this week.
Conrad has left middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs out of the 17-player squad entirely for the second Test at St George's Park starting on Sunday, with his Warriors and Sunrisers Eastern Cape teammate Matthew Breetzke being called up.
Stubbs, 26, endured a mediocre ODI series in the build-up to the first Test and has now followed it up with two failures in Durban.
Breetzke, meanwhile, was one of the form batters during the ODI series and could be in line to play his third Test.
"One change to the squad is that Tristan Stubbs unfortunately misses out and Matthew Breetzke replaces him," Conrad said.
"Matt's obviously been part of the squad before, where he played the one Test match in Bangladesh and had another go in Zimbabwe.
"The fact that his 50-over and his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane, and also, more importantly, the attitude and the character that Matt brings and has. I think that will go a long way."
Conrad's patience with wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne has finally run out, with the Cobras' gloveman handing over the duties behind the stumps to Ryan Rickelton, although it's yet to be decided whether the left-hander will move down the order from his current opening batter's slot.
Verreynne will remain part of the squad in Gqeberha, but Conrad confirmed that Rickelton will take over the keeping duties at St George's Park.
"The other noteworthy news would be that Ryan Rickelton will be taking the gloves in the second Test," Conrad said.
"Obviously, with Rick's taking the gloves, 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. So those are some of the conversations."
Cobras' top-order batter Tony de Zorzi was not considered for selection as the left-hander continues his recovery from a left hamstring injury.
Conrad was also confident that the Proteas have left behind their Durban misery and can start afresh at St George's Park — a venue that has been favourable to the home team 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.
"We'll obviously have a look at what the conditions are like. The weather forecast isn't great for day one, so there are a few things to consider before we look at that final XI. But we are excited."
Proteas Men’s Squad — 2nd Test against Australia
Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.