Published: Jan 03, 2026, 10:21 AM (IST)
Edited: Jan 03, 2026, 10:21 AM (IST)
South Africa has announced its squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Aiden Markram will captain the team, which includes young fast bowler Kwena Maphaka and top-order batsman Jason Smith. However, explosive batsmen Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs have not made the cut.
Smith’s selection is a result of his impressive recent form. He made his T20 debut in 2024 and boasts a strike rate of 128.30. He is currently playing for MI Cape Town in the SA20 league. Besides Smith and Maphaka, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, and George Linde have also been included in the T20 World Cup squad for the first time.
Head coach Shukri Conrad said, “We are returning to the subcontinent, where we recently played against hosts India, and the experience we gained playing in those conditions will certainly be beneficial for us in this tournament.” He added that several players selected for the World Cup squad were on that tour and have experienced the pitches we are likely to encounter.
Conrad said this will be very helpful when they arrive in India. Before departing for the World Cup, they have to play a T20 series against the West Indies, for which the team will be announced at the end of this month.
Kagiso Rabada, who missed the recent white-ball series against India due to a rib injury, has been included in the World Cup squad. The South African team also includes fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who was South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup.
The T20 World Cup 2026, co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will begin on February 7th. South Africa is in Group D, which also includes Afghanistan, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). South Africa will begin its campaign against Canada at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on February 9th.
Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, and Jason Smith
