Proteas squad for 2nd Test vs Australia: Breetzke in, 2 changes

The Proteas have made minor adjustments for the second Test against Australia, which starts on Sunday (18 October).

South Africa’s batting department struggled in Durban, and coach Shukri Conrad has called in some firepower.

Here’s what the Proteas squad looks like heading into a must-win five-day clash in Gqeberha next week.

Proteas make 2 changes for second Test

Cricket South Africa confirmed on Instagram that the squad heading to St George’s Park would be mostly unchanged.

Tristan Stubbs makes way for Matthew Breetzke, who has been in superb touch in the shorter formats.

He scored the most runs for SA during the ODI series win over Australia, according to ESPN Cricinfo statistics.

Ryan Rickelton will also take over the wicketkeeping duties from Kyle Verreynne.

Tony de Zorzi remains sidelined with a hamstring injury and was not considered.

Meanwhile, star pace bowler Kagiso Rabada could be included after missing the first Test at Kingsmead, according to the ICC.

The final playing XI is expected to be announced in the next couple of days.

Dafabet Second Test Match Squad Announcement 🚨

The South Africa Men’s selection panel has today named a 17-player squad for the second Dafabet Test against Australia, starting on Sunday, 18 October at Dafabet St George’s Park in Gqeberha.

There is one change to the squad from… pic.twitter.com/652ms9i8Rp

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 15, 2026

Reactions to Stubbs dropped from Test squad

Some South African fans labelled the decision to drop Stubbs as unfair.

He was certainly not the worst Proteas batsman of the first Test – Rickelton scored just 2 runs across both innings.

However, others believe Stubbs has been given enough chances in red-ball cricket.

The conversation also centred on Verreynne, who is likely to sit out the match entirely.

Fans are also hopeful that Rabada will make the final XI.

In the first Test, the Proteas bowlers struggled against batsmen who had settled at the crease, like Matt Renshaw.

We could also see Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Marques Ackerman, and Dane Paterson get their chance in Gqeberha.

South Africa vs Australia: Test fixtures list

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead, Durban (Australia won by 214 runs)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands Stadium, Cape Town

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