South Africa announces squad for 2nd Test vs Australia: Breetzke replaces Stubbs

South Africa has named a 17-member squad for the second Test against Australia. | Photo Credit: AP

South Africa replaced Tristan Stubbs with Matthew Breetzke and named Ryan Rickelton as the wicketkeeper for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha starting Sunday. The host lost the first Test by 214 runs in Durban.

Stubbs was the only change in the 17-member squad with Breetzke, who has only played two Tests, getting the call-up on the back of his “hot” ODI form.

“Matt has been part of the squad before,” Shukri Conrad, South Africa’s head coach, said. “The fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane and more importantly, it’s the attitude and the character Matt brings and has.”

Conrad also confirmed Rickelton as the designated keeper for the next game which could mean Kyle Verreynne might not make it in the playing XI.

“With Ricks taking the gloves, there are decisions to be made over whether he does move down the order or whether he can continue to open the batting, which he has done before,” Conrad said.

South Africa squad for second Test vs Australia: Temba Bavuma (c), 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.