Paterson, Baartman lead South Africa A's England Lions challenge with red, white-ball fixtures from May 22
Synopsis
South Africa A's England tour is a high-stakes audition for fringe players. Paterson's return after 18 months away from Tests and Baartman's bid to stake a red-ball claim signal a squad in flux—and a management team determined to build depth before a gruelling home season.
Key Takeaways
South Africa A named Dane Paterson , Ottneil Baartman , and Nqobani Mokoena for the England Lions tour from 22 May .
Paterson , 37 , returns to red-ball cricket after 18 months away; last played Boxing Day 2024 Test.
Baartman , 33 , missed T20 World Cup selection but has been recalled for four-day and one-day squads.
Tony de Zorzi returns after injury; Connor Esterhuizen and Lhuan-dré Pretorius named in one-day squad while competing in the Indian Premier League .
Four-day matches at Arundel and Beckenham ; white-ball fixtures at Leicester and Worcester .
South Africa A has named Dane Paterson and Ottneil Baartman as senior bowling anchors for their tour of England, where the squad will contest red- and white-ball matches against the England Lions beginning 22 May. The tour marks a significant opportunity for fringe players to audition for national selection ahead of a demanding home Test season.
Leadership and coaching structure
Batter Marques Ackermann will captain the side, with Wandile Gwavu heading the coaching group. Former internationals Justin Ontong and Rory Kleinveldt will oversee batting and bowling respectively, bringing Test-match experience to a development squad.
Paterson's return after 18 months
Paterson, now 37 and without a central contract, last played Test cricket on Boxing Day 2024, when South Africa secured a World Test Championship final berth. Although he travelled to Lord's for that final, he did not feature in the playing XI and subsequently missed tours to Pakistan and India. This assignment represents a pathway back into longer-format contention.
Baartman seeks redemption in red-ball cricket
Baartman, 33, narrowly missed T20 World Cup selection but has been recalled for this tour. He is expected to focus on the four-day format to strengthen his Test credentials. His inclusion signals Cricket South Africa's intent to develop depth in fast bowling across formats.
Mokoena's progression and multi-format role
Emerging quick Nqobani Mokoena, already capped in T20 Internationals, has been named in both squads—four-day and one-day—underscoring his trajectory as a prospect for the senior setup. He joins Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee in the limited-overs contingent.
Batting depth and injury recovery
Tony de Zorzi returns after injury ruled him out of the T20 World Cup. He features in both squads alongside Jason Smith, who had limited opportunities in the tournament. Additional batting options—Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lesego Senokwane—are all on the fringe of national selection.
IPL contingent and white-ball depth
The one-day squad includes Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen, both currently competing in the Indian Premier League. Esterhuizen impressed on his T20 International debut tour of New Zealand, finishing as the leading run-scorer, while Pretorius has already represented South Africa across formats.
Venue schedule and format coverage
The four-day matches will be held at Arundel and Beckenham—venues familiar to the side from their World Test Championship final preparations. White-ball fixtures are scheduled for Leicester and Worcester, offering a comprehensive test of squad depth ahead of the international calendar.
Point of View
18 months removed from Test cricket, handed a second chance. It signals either a shortage of fast-bowling depth or a willingness to back experience over youth. Baartman's inclusion after a T20 World Cup snub suggests the selectors view the one-day format as secondary to red-ball development. The real test: whether this tour produces genuine Test-ready pacers or merely extends the careers of ageing fringe players.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Dane Paterson been recalled after 18 months away?
Paterson last played Test cricket on Boxing Day 2024, when South Africa secured a World Test Championship final berth. Although he travelled to Lord's, he did not feature in the playing XI and subsequently missed tours to Pakistan and India. At 37 and without a central contract, this England Lions tour offers a pathway back into longer-format contention ahead of South Africa's home Test season.
What is Ottneil Baartman's role in this tour?
Baartman, 33, narrowly missed T20 World Cup selection but has been recalled for both the four-day and one-day squads. He is expected to focus on the red-ball format to strengthen his Test credentials and stake a claim for national selection.
When does the South Africa A tour of England begin?
The tour begins on 22 May 2024 with two four-day fixtures at Arundel and Beckenham. White-ball matches follow at Leicester and Worcester.
Which IPL players are included in the one-day squad?
Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen, both currently competing in the Indian Premier League, have been named in the one-day squad. Esterhuizen impressed on his T20 International debut tour of New Zealand, finishing as the leading run-scorer.
Who will captain and coach South Africa A?
Batter Marques Ackermann will captain the side, with Wandile Gwavu heading the coaching group. Former internationals Justin Ontong and Rory Kleinveldt will oversee batting and bowling respectively.
