South Africa named a 15-player squad for the two-match home Test series against Bangladesh on Monday, 2 November 2026, recalling batter Tony de Zorzi, batter Zubayr Hamza and fast bowler Anrich Nortje from injury.
Temba Bavuma will captain the side, after leading South Africa to a 2-1 series win over Australia in their most recent Test assignment. Cricket South Africa announced the squad for the two-match Dafabet Test series later this month, with the first Test at the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from 15 to 19 November and the second at SuperSport Park in Centurion from 23 to 27 November.
Why the announcement matters is that it shows how little South Africa want to disturb a winning formula. According to Reuters, the series win over Australia took South Africa to the top of the Test world rankings for the first time since 2016, while Sportstar reported that the Proteas also lead the World Test Championship standings and could strengthen their claim on a final place with another series win.
De Zorzi returns after recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Test series against Australia. Hamza, who won the last of his eight Test caps against New Zealand in 2024, according to Reuters, has been brought back to add depth to the top order.
Nortje has recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of the third Test against Australia, Reuters reported, after being sidelined for two weeks. He joins a pace attack that includes Dane Paterson and Kagiso Rabada, plus all-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi was not considered for selection, as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury. His absence is the one clear gap in an otherwise settled bowling group, and it leaves the returning Nortje with a straightforward route back into the side.
Returns from injury strengthen batting and pace
Head coach Shukri Conrad said the squad had been picked with momentum in mind. “Coming off a hard fought series against Australia, our focus will be on carrying that momentum into the Bangladesh series, which is our next big assignment of the summer,” he said, according to Cricket South Africa.
Conrad also explained why the balance of the squad leans towards seam bowling. “Traditionally, surfaces on the Highveld favour pace and bounce, although we have seen the Wanderers offer some assistance to spin in recent times. So with that in mind, there will be greater focus on our seam-bowling options,” he said.
Bangladesh, Conrad warned, should not be underestimated in those conditions. “We know the threat Bangladesh pose and we expect their quicks to be very effective in Highveld conditions,” he said.
On the batting recalls, Conrad added: “In terms of our batting options, it’s good to welcome Tony back following his recovery from injury, while Zubayr’s inclusion gives us further depth to our top order.” He said the build-up to the first Test would give South Africa the chance to assess their options and settle on the best combination for the conditions.
Spin remains covered by Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, while the batting group also includes Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram and wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton. That spread of options matters on Highveld pitches, where a side can need both pace and a spinner who can hold an end while the quick bowlers rest.
A settled squad chasing another home series win
South Africa’s full squad is: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada and Ryan Rickelton.
Recent history favours the hosts. The last time the two sides met on South African soil was in 2022, when South Africa secured a 2-0 series win, according to Cricket South Africa. Bangladesh will therefore arrive knowing they must improve sharply on that visit if they are to trouble a side sitting at the top of both the Test rankings and the World Test Championship standings.
Bavuma’s own leadership record adds to that sense of stability. He has captained South Africa through their rise to the top of the rankings, and the squad announcement keeps the core of the Australia series intact rather than making sweeping changes after a win. Continuity, in Conrad’s words, is about carrying momentum forward, not starting again.
What is confirmed is the schedule and the squad. South Africa will assemble in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 11 November, four days before the first Test begins at the Wanderers. The second Test follows at Centurion from 23 to 27 November, and no further squad changes have been announced. Whether the returning trio go straight into the starting eleven will only become clear once South Africa have assessed conditions and fitness in Johannesburg
