South Africa have dropped middle-order batter Tristan Stubbs from their squad for the second Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 18 in Gqeberha, following their defeat in the series opener.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has recalled Matthew Breetzke as Stubbs’ replacement, making him the only change to the 17-member squad that featured in the first Test in Durban.
Stubbs struggled to make an impact in the opening match, managing scores of 32 and one across his two innings as the Proteas suffered defeat against the visitors.
Breetzke, meanwhile, returns to the red-ball setup despite having limited experience at the highest level. The 27-year-old has represented South Africa in two Tests, making his debut against Bangladesh in October 2024 before featuring against Zimbabwe in July 2025.
He has scored just 14 runs in three Test innings but has impressed the national selectors with his recent performances in limited-overs cricket.
Notably, Breetzke has not played a first-class match since February, having missed the domestic season due to his commitments with South Africa’s white-ball squads in Namibia and against Australia.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad explained that Breetzke’s recent ODI form, combined with his attitude and character, played a significant role in his selection.
“Matt has been part of the squad before,” Conrad 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.”
Despite making just one change to the squad, South Africa could field a significantly different playing XI for the second Test.
Conrad confirmed that Ryan Rickelton will take over wicketkeeping duties, casting doubt over Kyle Verreynne’s place in the starting lineup. Verreynne, who remains part of the squad, has struggled for runs in recent matches and has failed to register a Test half-century in his last 13 innings.
However, the team management has yet to determine Rickelton’s batting position, with the possibility of moving him down the order under consideration. Such a move would require South Africa to identify a new opening partner for Aiden Markram.
“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.
The head coach acknowledged that several selection decisions remained before the second Test but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to recover from the opening defeat.
“There’s a few things to consider before we look at the final XI, but we are hell of excited,” he said. “But we have had the opportunity to lick our wounds and turn this ship in the right direction.”
Meanwhile, South Africa are expected to receive a major boost with the return of experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who missed the Durban Test while recovering from a hamstring problem.
Rabada is expected to be available for selection in Gqeberha and will join a pace attack that also includes Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch.
South Africa squad for second 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 and Kyle Verreynne.
