Aussie agitator called into Proteas squad for second Test

Matthew Breetzke, the star ODI batter who got under Australia's skin last month, looks set to be one of at least two inclusions to South Africa's team for the second Test in Gqeberha.

Tristan Stubbs has been dropped from an extended 17-player squad while Kyle Verryenne has been stripped of wicketkeeping duties after the Proteas' 214-run defeat in the series opener.

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, Kyle Verreynne.

Ryan Rickelton, who played as an opener in Durban, will take the gloves instead with Breetzke and uncapped reserve bat Marques Ackerman now firmly in line to play at St George's Park.

It's a strong message from the reigning World Test champions who are also hopeful Kagiso Rabada will return from a hamstring injury for the second Test.

There is doubt over whether Anrich Nortje will be able to play on a four-day break after the speedster's first long-form game in three years.

Breetzke's extraordinary start to his international 50-over career continued against Australia when he struck a match-winning 112 in the first ODI at Kingsmead, notably riling up Nathan Ellis and Josh Inglis when he pinched a single after a throw rebounded off his body.

"… just because of his personality – he's similar to Marnus (Labuschagne) and Steve Smith with their mannerisms – they don't do it on purpose, but if they do it for long enough, it can irritate you," Marco Jansen, who was at the non-striker's end, told cricket.com.au last month.

Breetzke, who averages 63 from five ODIs against Australia, played the last of his two Tests in July, 2025. Both he and Ackerman now look likely to play, with one of them set to open if Rickelton moves down the order given he will now keep wickets.

Verryenne has been South Africa's first-choice wicketkeeper since 2023, only missing the two Tests against New Zealand in 2024 when the Proteas sent a second-string team.

Rickelton has never kept in a Test but has done it in 23 white-ball internationals.  

Stubbs may consider himself unfortunate for losing his place after making 32 and 1 in Durban, dismissed by Pat Cummins in each innings. In his previous Test, admittedly 10 months ago against India in Guwuhati, he made 49 and 94 to help seal South Africa's series win.

The right-hander averages 30.46 from 15 Tests, but coach Shukri Conrad had flagged that the hosts needed to "look at how can we improve the side without being knee-jerk in our reactions.

"We need to show composure," he added. "But the question is always, 'Will it make the boat go faster if we make changes, or will it slow the boat down?', and we are constantly looking at how we make the boat go faster.

"It doesn't mean you now have to go soul-searching or questioning all the things we have done really well and are doing really well. We just need to get bloody better.''

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: Australia won by 214 runs

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa squad for second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), 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, Kyle Verreynne.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster