South Africa squad for WTC final announced, Lungi Ngidi returns

Published - 13 May 2025, 02:55 PM | Updated - 13 May 2025, 05:15 PM

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On Tuesday, May 13, Cricket South Africa (CSA) officially announced the strong squad of the South Africa National Cricket Team for the ICC World Test Championship Final.

Under the leadership of Temba Bavuma, the Proteas will go head-to-head with the defending champions Australia National Cricket Team, in the WTC final from June 11 at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

Lungi Ngidi returns to the South Africa Test squad

The Proteas squad picked by the selectors for the final of the ongoing cycle of the ICC World Test Championship has seen the return of the star right-arm pace bowler Lungi Ngidi.

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It will be a massive boost for the Temba Bavuma-led side as Lungi Ngidi is a game-changer with the ball and has fully recovered from the groin injury that kept him out of the home summer assignments.

There have not been any major changes in the South Africa Test squad from their previous assignment, and the selection committee has stuck with the players who have brought success to the team in the 2023-25 WTC cycle.

Only two changes have been made from the Test squad that faced Pakistan, as young pacer Kwena Maphaka and top-order batter Matthew Breetzke have been left out. Spinner Senuran Muthusamy has made it to the squad over Dane Piedt while Corbin Bosch has retained his place with no room for pacer Gerald Coetzee.

The presence of Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma, and Kyle Verreynne makes a strong batting order for the Proteas.

Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj and Muthusamy will handle bowling duties while all-rounders Wiaam Mulder and Marco Jansen also fully capable of making good contributions with both bat and ball.

I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side - Shukri Conrad

South Africa National Cricket Team head coach Shukri Conrad spoke about the squad selection, stating that they have once again shown consistency in selection and have retained the core group.

He expressed delight over the return of Lungi Ngidi and added that the Proteas squad is quite balanced and will do well in English conditions. He elaborated:

“Firstly, I want to congratulate each of the players selected for this squad. It is a special moment for this group to contest the WTC Final. Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit, and this achievement reflects that progress.

“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s.”

“I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back to the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.”

Notably, the Temba Bavuma-led side finished No.1 in the WTC Standings with a point percentage of 69.44, winning 8 out of 12 Tests they played in the cycle.