Cricket
1News

South Africa name inexperienced squad for Black Caps series

December 31, 2023
Duanne Olivier of South Africa in 2022.

South Africa have named a squad largely devoid of star power for their two-test series against the Black Caps next year.

The sides face off at Bay Oval and then Seddon Park in February.

But the Proteas are leaving some big names behind to compete in South Africa's domestic T20 competition, the SA20.

None of the top bowlers are available for the series – and captain Neil Brand is one of seven uncapped travelling players.

Duanne Olivier will be the most-capped player making the trip, with 15.

The squad announcement comes after Cricket South Africa had previously explored changing the series' schedule.

The squad naming was met with backlash on social media.

"No disrespect to the players selected but South Africa deserve to be humiliated in this series for the disrespect they've shown to test cricket," one X (twitter) user wrote.

"Who are these people?" another comment asked.

Other people took a different view.

"This is so funny from South Africa," one social media user said.

But NZ Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink isn't getting ahead of himself.

"This is a team that we were expecting, and actually looking it at it we still think it's a strong side," he told 1News after the squad naming.

"It is really unfortunate timing, we worked very closely with Cricket South Africa to see if we could find alternative dates to play the series, that included even looking to see if we could play it in Australia in our off season.

"Unfortunately just because of the cricket calendar being so condensed we couldn't find a way.

"We don't see it as a slap in the face, we just see it as really, really unfortunate timing."

Weenink is still anticipating two good matches.

"This is a Test championship on offer, there is no such thing as a weak South African side.

"We have never beaten South Africa so we see it as a competitive series."

South Africa's Test series squad: Neil Brand (c), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin, Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Khaya Zondo.

SHARE ME

More Stories