South Africa batsman Tristan Stubbs had paid the price for his side’s heavy loss to Australia in their Test series opener at the selection table, while their wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne has also been relieved of his duties.
Stubbs hooked Pat Cummins to Josh Hazlewood at fine leg to depart for 32 at an inopportune time in his side’s first innings before edging Australia’s captain to wicketkeeper Alex Carey on one in their second as the tourists stormed to a 214-run win in Durban.
He is the sole omission from the Proteas’ 17-player squad for the second Test of the series, which begins in Gqeberha on Sunday.
The 26-year-old has been replaced by Matthew Bretzkee, who finished as South Africa’s leading run-scorer in the preceding One-Day International series between the sides after compiling 112 in the first game.
Verreynne was caught at slip by Steve Smith off the bowling of Nathan Lyon for 13 on day three and fell in the same fashion to part-timer Matt Renshaw on one as Australia closed in on victory on the final day.
While he has travelled with his side to South Africa’s eastern cape, their coach Shruki Conrad confirmed opening batsman Ryan Rickleton would assume the gloves in the second Test. Conrad said a decision on whether Rickleton would slide down their batting order was still being worked through.
Superstar fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has retained his place in the squad as he continues to firm for a call-up for the second Test.
Rabada was sidelined by a hamstring injury for the first Test but was seen bowling regularly throughout the game, both in the nets and out in the middle on the morning of the fifth day.
After his side lost the first game of the series, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma said the absence of their fourth leading wicket-taker at Test level was for “precautionary” reasons.
South Africa squad for second Test against Australia: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.