A New Captain and Fresh Faces: South Africa Name Their Squad for the Namibia Tour
Published on August 12, 2026
Summary Overview: South Africa have named a 15-player second-string squad for their white-ball tour of Namibia, with Bjorn Fortuin as captain and youngsters Brevis, Pretorius and Maphaka included. Full squad and analysis.
A New Captain and Fresh Faces: South Africa Name Their Squad for the Namibia Tour
By Cricket Daily
South Africa have named their squad for the white-ball tour of Namibia, and it is a side built around youth, opportunity, and a new leader. Before the detail, here are the quick answers.
Have South Africa announced their squad?
Yes. The selection panel has named a 15-player squad, and it covers the entire white-ball tour, both the T20 tri-series and the ODIs.
Who is captaining South Africa?
Bjorn Fortuin. The experienced left-arm spinner has been handed the captaincy for the first time, leading a young Proteas group.
What is new about this squad?
It is a second-string side. The senior stars have been rested, opening the door for exciting young talents and several players earning maiden call-ups.
When and where do they play?
A T20 tri-series against Namibia and Zimbabwe runs from 28 August to 6 September, followed by three ODIs against Namibia from 9 to 13 September, all in Windhoek.
Now, the full picture.
Why this is a second-string squad
The first thing to understand is that this is not South Africa's strongest team, and that is by design. Regular white-ball captains Temba Bavuma and Aiden Markram have both been rested, along with the frontline fast-bowling and spin group including Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.
The reason is a punishing schedule ahead. South Africa have a huge home season coming up, including a run of Test matches and an ODI series against Australia in late September, so the selectors are protecting their key men while giving fringe and emerging players a chance to prove themselves. Head coach Shukri Conrad confirmed the panel picked a single squad for both series to maximise those opportunities. For fans, that means a rare look at the country's next generation.
Bjorn Fortuin's chance to lead
The captaincy is the headline. Bjorn Fortuin, a left-arm spinner who has played 16 ODIs and 27 T20Is for the Proteas, takes charge of the side for the first time.
It is a significant moment for him personally. Fortuin had not featured for South Africa since November 2025, so this tour is both a return to the international fold and a chance to show his leadership credentials. Handing the armband to an experienced head while surrounding him with youngsters is a smart balance, giving the young players a steady guide.
The young stars to watch
While the big names are absent, a few genuine future stars have made the trip, and they are the players to keep an eye on.
Dewald Brevis, the exciting middle-order batter long tipped for stardom, headlines that group. Alongside him is Lhuan-dré Pretorius, a talented young wicketkeeper-batter, and Kwena Maphaka, one of the most highly rated young fast bowlers in world cricket. These three are the ones who could push into South Africa's strongest white-ball side, and this tour is a chance to build on that. Experienced top-order batter Tony de Zorzi adds some senior class to the batting.
Maiden call-ups and a family story
The squad is full of players getting their opportunity. The standout newcomer is Duan Jansen, who earns a maiden South Africa call-up, and there is a lovely family angle to it. Duan is the twin brother of Proteas star Marco Jansen, and he earned his place after a superb domestic season in which he was named the One-Day Cup Player of the Year. All-rounder Eathan Bosch also receives a maiden senior call-up.
On top of that, three players are in line for their first ODI caps, with Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann and Nqobani Mokoena all having previously played only T20 cricket for South Africa. For a squad like this, handing out debuts is very much the point.
The tour and what is at stake
This is more than a routine trip. The T20 tri-series adds Zimbabwe to the mix, giving the Proteas competitive games before the main event. Then comes a piece of history, because the three-match ODI series against Namibia will be the first-ever 50-over bilateral series between the two nations.
There is a bigger purpose behind it too. South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 50-over World Cup, so giving Namibia strong opposition and blooding new South African players is valuable preparation for everyone involved. As we noted in our tour preview, this is exactly the kind of forward-looking assignment that a second-string trip can be.
Keep it locked to Cricket Daily for team news, match updates, and full coverage of the tour.
South Africa's squad for the Namibia tour
Batters: Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Jordan Hermann
Wicketkeeper-batters: Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann, Lhuan-dré Pretorius
All-rounders: Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena, Jason Smith
Spinners: Bjorn Fortuin (captain), Nqaba Peter, Prenelan Subrayen
Pace bowlers: Kwena Maphaka, Lutho Sipamla
Recent ODI form
One quick note on form, with an important caveat. South Africa's most recent one-day results came with a full-strength side rather than the young group heading to Namibia, so they say more about the first-choice team than about how this tour will go.
In their last five completed ODIs, the Proteas have won two and lost three. They toured India in late 2025 and lost that series, going down by 17 runs, bouncing back to win by 4 wickets, then losing the decider by 9 wickets. Earlier, in Pakistan, they beat the hosts by 8 wickets in one game but were beaten by 7 wickets in another. In short, even South Africa's senior side has blown hot and cold in this format lately, which only adds to the intrigue of seeing what a fresh, hungry group can do.
Keep it locked to Cricket Daily for team news, match updates, and full coverage of the tour.
Frequently asked questions
Has South Africa announced its squad for the Namibia tour? Yes, a 15-player squad covering both the T20 tri-series and the ODI series.
Who is captaining South Africa? Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, leading the side for the first time.
Why are the senior players missing? Regulars such as Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram and Kagiso Rabada have been rested ahead of a demanding home season.
Who are the standout young players? Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Kwena Maphaka, all of whom could feature in South Africa's first-choice white-ball side.
Why is the ODI series significant? It is the first-ever 50-over bilateral series between South Africa and Namibia, and part of the build-up to the 2027 World Cup, which both nations will co-host with Zimbabwe.