Three players will make their Test debut for the Proteas in the first Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo, starting on Saturday.
Big-hitting batsmen Lhuan-dre Pretorius (19) and Dewald Brevis (22), along with fast bowler Codi Yusuf (27), are part of a much-changed XI that includes just four players from the side that won the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s.
Several first-choice players, including Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Kagiso Rabada, have been rested for the two-match series.
Keshav Maharaj will captain the team in the absence of the injured Temba Bavuma. The 35-year-old is one wicket away from becoming the first South African spinner to reach the landmark of 200 Test wickets.
Proteas XI: Tony de Zorzi, Matthew Breetzke, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Dewald Brevis, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj (c), Codi Yusuf, Kwena Maphaka.
Captain Keshav Maharaj unpacks the thinking behind our Starting XI for tomorrow’s opening Test vs Zimbabwe ???
With a clear vision for the future, three debutants get the nod: ??
➡️ Dewald Brevis
➡️ Lhuan-dré Pretorius
➡️ Codi YusufA bold and fearless step forward as… pic.twitter.com/lcFXApstPu
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) June 27, 2025
Photo: @ProteasMenCSA/X
