Keshav Maharaj will lead the current ICC World Test Championship holders after a left hamstring strain has ruled batter Temba Bavuma out
Bavuma sustained the injury during day three of the World Test Championship Final at Lord’s while batting in the second innings. He continued to bat with pain and put on a fight with a well-made half century, stitching up a match-winning partnership with Aiden Markram.
𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 🫡
Temba Bavuma’s crucial half-century, despite an injury, inches South Africa closer to glory 👏
Follow #WTC25 Final LIVE ➡️ https://t.co/pQ7yVBzaQL pic.twitter.com/stsYamBBa0
— ICC (@ICC) June 13, 2025
Bavuma is set to undergo further scans to assess the extent of the injury, while experienced Maharaj will lead the side, which consists of five uncapped players.
The Proteas had faced Zimbabwe in a warm-up fixture, before taking on Australia for the Ultimate Test at the Home of Cricket, where they were crowned the Test champions.
Proteas will take on Zimbabwe in the first Test on Saturday, 28 June, followed by the second Test from Sunday, 06 July, with both matches taking place at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.
South Africa Test Squad against Zimbabwe
Keshav Maharaj (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Dewald Brevis, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Kwena Maphaka, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi*, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lesego Senokwane, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne and Codi Yusuf.
*second Test only
Fixtures
28 June-02 July, First Test, Bulawayo
06-10 July, Second Test, Bulawayo
