South Africa have announced a 17-member squad for the second Test against Australia, which is set to begin on October 18 in Gqeberha. Matthew Breetzke has been named as a replacement for Tristan Stubbs, while Ryan Rickelton is expected to assume wicketkeeping duties.The squad changes may allow South Africa to add an additional specialist batter as they aim to reinforce their batting lineup following a disappointing performance in the first Test. Left-handed batter Tony de Zorzi remains unavailable due to ongoing recovery from a left hamstring injury.Pace bowler Kagiso Rabada could return to the playing XI after missing the opening Test, potentially strengthening the South African bowling attack. South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat in the series opener in Durban and will be looking to level the series in Gqeberha.Stubbs was the only player dropped from the squad following the first Test loss. He scored 32 and 1 in that match, despite having recorded a promising 94 in his previous Test innings against India almost 11 months ago. Breetzke, who has played two Tests for South Africa—against Bangladesh in October 2024 and Zimbabwe in July 2025—has scored just 14 runs across those appearances but holds a first-class batting average of 37.03.The announced squad is: 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.
South Africa name 17-player squad for second Test vs Australia with Breetzke replacing Stubbs
