South Africa’s Surprising T20 World Cup 2026 Squad Unveiled

Cricket South Africa Unveils T20 World Cup Squad

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has officially announced its squad for the much-anticipated T20 World Cup 2026. Heading into the tournament as the previous edition’s finalists, expectations are soaring high for the Proteas.

Shocking Exclusions

In a surprising twist, South Africa has chosen to exclude notable players Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton from the squad. Stubbs, who participated in the series against India, faces the axe alongside Rickelton, who has fallen out of favor following Quinton de Kock’s decision to reverse his retirement. Reeza Hendricks and Ottneil Baartman, also part of the Indian series, have been left out of the final list.

New Faces and Key Returns

Among the noteworthy returns, Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje make their comeback after injury concerns. Rabada was unable to participate in the series against India but has been actively competing for MI Cape Town in the SA20 2025-26. Nortje recently returned to the T20I scene after an injury hiatus and has been excelling with the Sunrisers Eastern Cape.

Jason Smith, making his return to the lineup after a one-off appearance in the Namibia T20I, adds depth to the squad. As stated by selection convener Patrick Moroney, “We have had to make some big calls, but we feel this group is the strongest and has every chance of succeeding in India and Sri Lanka. We have assembled a world-class squad with some of the finest and most experienced players in the game, together with some of the best T20 youngsters coming through.”

Complete South Africa Squad for T20 World Cup 2026

With a blend of youth and experience, the Proteas look poised for an exciting tournament. As they prepare to take on the world in India and Sri Lanka, fans are eager to see how this new squad performs on the grand stage.