South Africa introduce new faces for Afghanistan and Ireland series

Uncapped Jason Smith, Nqabayomzi Peter and Andile Simelane have been picked in the South Africa squad for the ODI series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE. 

Legspinner Peter and all-rounder Smith have already played the 20-over format for South Africa, while fast-bowling all-rounder Simelane has received his first national call-up. 

The Proteas are scheduled to play three ODIs against Afghanistan in Sharjah, starting on September 18. They will then play two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi, with their UAE tour ending on October 7.

Meanwhile, seamer Lungi Ngidi has also recovered from his injury and has been named in all three squads. The right-armer had missed the three-match T20I series in the West Indies in August. 

The likes of Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Tabraiz Shamsi, Gerald Coetzee, David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen aren’t part of any squad. 

South Africa’s white-ball coach, Rob 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 the 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."

The ODI squad will be led by Temba Bavuma, while Aiden Markram will continue to lead the T20I side. 

Markram, Reeza Hendricks and Simelane are part of the ODI squad that will play Afghanistan but haven’t been included in the team that will play three ODIs against Ireland. Meanwhile, Rassie van der Dussen and Ryan Rickelton will only play against Ireland. 

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan: Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland: Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland: Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams

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