SA vs NZ: Keegan Petersen Ruled Out Of New Zealand Tour After Testing Positive

South African promising young batter Keegan Petersen returned a positive result in his latest test and has been ruled out of the team’s tour of New Zealand this month.

Petersen was the protagonist in a stunning comeback against India last month. He won the Player of the Series award in the 3-Test series after scoring 276 runs in six innings including three fifties.

Now, it has been confirmed that he will not be part of the squad that will tour New Zealand. A statement from the CSA read that Petersen was asymptomatic and was feeling well and the medical staff is constantly keeping an eye on him.

In his stead, Zubayr Hamza was called up. He last made an appearance back in November 2021 when South Africa played against the Netherlands. Hamza has played five Tests in his career so far and has scored a paltry 181 runs.

Dean Elgar-led squad will turn up on the Kiwi shores high on confidence after they defeated former World No.1 Test team, India, in a comfortable fashion. Kagiso Rabada, who missed the ODI leg of the home series, will be back to lead the attack.

As for Anrich Nortje, he is yet to recover from the injury that kept him out of the series against India. Lutho Sipamla was brought in his place and he will be the last of the 7-man pace attack.

SA’s updated squad after Keegan Petersen tested positive:

Dean Elgar (capt), Temba Bavuma, Sarel Erwee, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Duanne Olivier, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Lutho Sipamla, Glenton Stuurman, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne (wk).

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