Tony de Zorzi, Anrich Nortje return in South Africa's 15-man squad for Bangladesh Tests
Synopsis
South Africa have handed back Test whites to Tony de Zorzi and Anrich Nortje — both recovering from injuries that kept them out of the Australia series — while Zubayr Hamza gets a surprise recall after nearly two years away. With David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne dropped, the Highveld series against Bangladesh from 15 November shapes up as a significant selection reset for the Proteas.
Key Takeaways
Tony de Zorzi returns from a hamstring injury for South Africa's two-Test series against Bangladesh , having missed the 2-1 Australia series win .
Anrich Nortje is back after a groin injury that restricted him to 3.3 overs in the second Test against Australia.
Zubayr Hamza earns a recall after his last Test appearance in February 2024 ; he has played eight Tests .
David Bedingham , Kyle Verreynne , Gerald Coetzee , Senuran Muthusamy , and Tristan Stubbs have been dropped from the Australia squad.
The first Test starts on 15 November at the Wanderers, Johannesburg ; the second begins 23 November at SuperSport Park, Centurion .
South Africa have named a 15-man squad for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh, with top-order batter Tony de Zorzi returning from a hamstring injury and fast bowler Anrich Nortje recovering from a groin problem to earn recalls. The series opens on 15 November at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, before shifting to SuperSport Park for the second Test from 23 November.
De Zorzi and Nortje: The Key Returns
De Zorzi missed South Africa's recent 2-1 series win over Australia after sustaining a hamstring injury during the preceding ODI series. He has since recovered and is expected to resume his opening partnership with Aiden Markram. Nortje, meanwhile, suffered a groin injury during the second Test of that Australia series — managing just 3.3 overs in the first innings before missing the rest of that match and the third Test entirely. His return bolsters a pace attack already well-stocked for Highveld conditions.
Hamza Recalled, Several Faces Dropped
Batter Zubayr Hamza has been recalled to the side, with the selectors opting for an extra batting option. Hamza has played eight Tests, but his last appearance came in February 2024, making this a notable comeback. On the other side of the ledger, No.3 David Bedingham and wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne have been dropped. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who replaced Nortje for the third Test against Australia, has also been left out, as has spin-bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy. Tristan Stubbs, who featured only in the first Test against Australia before being dropped for the subsequent two matches, has not been considered either.
Likely Batting Lineup and Keeping Arrangement
With De Zorzi's return, the top order is expected to see De Zorzi and Markram open the batting. Marques Ackerman — who had never opened in first-class cricket before his Test debut against Australia in the second match — is likely to slot into the No.3 position vacated by Bedingham. Behind the stumps, Ryan Rickelton remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, with Matthew Breetzke serving as the back-up option.
A Loaded Pace Attack for Highveld Conditions
The Proteas' pace unit reads formidably: Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Corbin Bosch, Dane Paterson, and the returning Nortje provide six seam options. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj are the two specialist spinners. Notably, Highveld venues — the Wanderers and SuperSport Park — are historically pace-friendly, which could make life difficult for Bangladesh's batters.
Full Squad and Series Schedule
South Africa's Test squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Zubayr Hamza, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton. The first Test begins on 15 November at the Wanderers, Johannesburg, and the second Test starts on 23 November at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
Point of View
Reset where needed. The dropping of Bedingham — a technically assured No.3 — after a series win is a bold call, and asking Ackerman, who only debuted as an opener, to fill that slot at No.3 introduces real uncertainty. The return of Hamza, absent since February 2024, suggests the selectors see something in his batting that recent incumbents have not delivered. With Highveld pitches expected to favour the pace attack, the bigger question is whether Bangladesh's batting can cope — and whether South Africa's top order can consolidate to let that attack do its work.
NationPress
2 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has South Africa recalled for the Bangladesh Test series?
South Africa have recalled top-order batter Tony de Zorzi and fast bowler Anrich Nortje, both returning from injury, as well as batter Zubayr Hamza, who last played a Test in February 2024. The 15-man squad also retains core players like Kagiso Rabada and Aiden Markram.
Why did Tony de Zorzi miss the Australia series?
Tony de Zorzi suffered a hamstring injury during the ODI series that preceded the Australia Tests and was consequently ruled out of the entire 2-1 Test series win. He has now recovered and is expected to open the batting alongside Aiden Markram.
What injury kept Anrich Nortje out of the Australia series?
Nortje sustained a groin injury during the second Test against Australia, managing just 3.3 overs in the first innings before missing the rest of that match and the entire third Test. He has recovered in time for the Bangladesh series.
Which players have been dropped from the Australia Test squad?
David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne, Gerald Coetzee, Senuran Muthusamy, and Tristan Stubbs have all been left out of the Bangladesh series squad, representing the most significant changes from the side that beat Australia 2-1.
When and where will the South Africa vs Bangladesh Tests be played?
The first Test starts on 15 November at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, and the second Test begins on 23 November at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Both venues are on the Highveld, where conditions typically favour pace bowlers.
