South Africa have unveiled their squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, making a few bold selection calls as Aiden Markram is named captain for the global showpiece. The announcement sees notable omissions in the form of Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, while several young faces earn their first-ever World Cup call-ups.
Quinton de Kock, who recently came out of international retirement, returns to the T20I fold and is set to play a key role at the top of the order. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje is also back after recovering from injury, strengthening a pace unit that already boasts Kagiso Rabada, who himself returns following a rib issue that ruled him out of South Africa's recent white-ball tour of India.
The selectors have shown faith in
youth and form, handing maiden T20 World Cup berths to Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, and Jason Smith. Smith's inclusion comes on the back of a strong run of performances, which ultimately worked in his favour over Stubbs, who was part of the squad that finished runners-up at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
South Africa's batting group features a mix of experience and flair, with Markram leading a line-up that includes De Kock, David Miller, Brevis, de Zorzi, Ferreira, and Smith. On the bowling front, Rabada, Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Maphaka, and Bosch provide pace and variety, while Keshav Maharaj will lead the spin department, supported by Linde. Markram and Ferreira add further balance with their part-time bowling options.
Head coach Shukri Conrad highlighted the importance of recent exposure to subcontinental conditions, noting that several squad members gained valuable experience during the tour of India. He also confirmed that South Africa will play one final T20I series against the West Indies before the World Cup, with that squad to be announced later.
Selector Patrick Moroney acknowledged the difficulty of the selection process, stating that while tough decisions were made, the chosen group offers the best blend of experience and emerging talent to challenge for the title in India and Sri Lanka.
Placed in Group D alongside Afghanistan, New Zealand, Canada, and the UAE, South Africa will once again chase their maiden men's T20 World Cup crown after falling just short in the 2024 final against India.
Full Squad: Aiden Markram (C), Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Jason Smith, George Linde, Corbin Bosch, Anrich Nortje.
