Temba Bavuma Out, Keshav Maharaj In as South Africa Gears Up for Zimbabwe Test Series

South Africa will be without their regular skipper Temba Bavuma for the upcoming two-Test series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on Saturday, June 28, in Bulawayo. The Proteas captain has been ruled out after picking up a left hamstring injury during the dramatic World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord’s.

Bavuma sustained the injury while completing a single on the third day of the final. He was batting on six at the time and immediately looked uncomfortable, needing on-field treatment. But in a moment that epitomised grit, the South African captain chose to carry on. He later said he ignored medical advice because he didn’t want to give himself a way out at such a crucial point in the match. Partnered with Aiden Markram, who agreed to ease off on the running, Bavuma battled through to tea and eventually contributed a vital 66 to help South Africa chase down 282 and clinch their first ICC title since 1998. 

With Bavuma sidelined, left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been named stand-in captain. Maharaj will become the 41st player to lead the South African men’s Test side and already has experience leading in limited-overs formats, having captained the team in seven ODIs and five T20Is. 

South Africa have opted not to call up a replacement for Bavuma, but the squad still has a fresh look to it. The selectors have rested several senior all-format players like Markram and Kagiso Rabada, which has opened the door for five uncapped players to get a shot in whites. Among them are exciting prospects Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dré Pretorius. The series will be a good opportunity for South Africa to test their bench strength and blood in new faces. Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has been named in the squad but is only available for the second Test. 

Bavuma’s injury comes at an unfortunate time, not just for the upcoming Zimbabwe tour but also because of his growing list of recent setbacks. This is his third hamstring issue in under two years. He was hampered by injury during the 2023 ODI World Cup, missed parts of the Boxing Day Test against India, and has struggled with elbow injuries that continue to affect his game. He bats with a heavily strapped left elbow and has had to deal with recurring fitness issues throughout his career. 

As for the newly crowned World Test Champions, their calendar gets even busier after this Zimbabwe series. They’ll face Australia in a set of ODIs in August before another limited-overs series against England in September. Their next World Test Championship cycle begins with a series against Pakistan in October, followed by a marquee away tour of India in November. Interestingly, South African fans will have to wait until October 2026 to see their team play another Test at home, when they’re scheduled to host Australia. 

Despite these challenges, Bavuma has made it clear that he wants to carry on until at least the 2027 ODI World Cup on home soil – if his body allows. As for now, the spotlight shifts to Maharaj and a young, relatively untested squad as South Africa head into the Bulawayo Tests. With plenty of new names in the mix, the series could offer a glimpse into the future of Proteas cricket. 

South Africa’s Test squad to face Zimbabwe: 

 Keshav Maharaj (capt), 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, Codi Yusuf 

• First Test: Saturday, 28 June 
•  Second Test: Sunday, 6 July 

 Both matches will be played at Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo.