South Africa drop Stubbs, Rickelton to keep wickets in Gqeberha Test vs Australia
South Africa have replaced Tristan Stubbs with Matthew Breetzke for the second Test against Australia, which begins in Gqeberha on Sunday. Ryan Rickelton will take over wicketkeeping duties, leaving the hosts with decisions to make about their batting combination following their defeat in Durban.
Stubbs scored 32 and 1 in the series opener, which South Africa lost. His omission comes despite scoring 94 against India in his previous Test innings, around 11 months ago.
Breetzke’s recent form in limited-overs cricket has helped him earn another opportunity at Test level. He struck a century in the first ODI against Australia in Durban after spending the domestic season with South Africa’s limited-overs squads in Namibia and against Australia.
The batter has played two Tests, against Bangladesh in October 2024 and Zimbabwe in July 2025, scoring 14 runs. He averages 37.03 in first-class cricket but has not played a match in the format since February.
South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad backed the decision to bring him into the squad.
“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.”
BATTING ORDER YET TO BE DECIDED
Rickelton’s new role could leave Kyle Verreynne out of the starting XI. Verreynne has not scored a Test half-century in his last 13 innings, although he remains part of the squad.
South Africa must also settle on Rickelton’s batting position. He could continue opening alongside Aiden Markram or move down the order, which would create a vacancy at the top.
Tony de Zorzi is unavailable as he recovers from a hamstring injury. He was Markram’s most regular opening partner during the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle.
Breetzke could be asked to open, while uncapped batter Marques Ackerman is another option. Ackerman generally bats in the middle order.
“There are a few things to consider before we look at the final XI, but we are hell of excited,” Conrad said. “But we have had the opportunity to lick our wounds and turn this ship in the right direction.”
RABADA EXPECTED TO BE AVAILABLE
Kagiso Rabada is expected to return after missing the first Test because of a hamstring niggle. South Africa have retained their remaining 16 players, including six other fast bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch.
Heavy rain is forecast for Sunday, and the possibility of lost playing time could influence the hosts’ final selection.
South Africa have also kept Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy in the squad. Only one spinner is likely to feature, with Maharaj and Harmer having played in Durban.
SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR SECOND TEST
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.
– Ends
