South Africa Squad for Namibia Tour 2026: Fortuin to Lead Young Side
Published on August 26, 2026
Summary Overview: South Africa have named a 15-player second-string squad for their white-ball tour of Namibia, captained by Bjorn Fortuin with youngsters Brevis, Pretorius and Maphaka. 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. Seam bowler 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. First comes the T20 tri-series, a genuine tournament in its own right, with hosts Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe all competing for a place in the final. Then comes a piece of history, because the three-match ODI series against Namibia that follows will be the first-ever 50-over bilateral series between the two nations.
There is a bigger purpose behind it all too. South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe will co-host the 2027 50-over World Cup, so testing themselves against one another 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.
Recent T20I form
Here is where things get more encouraging, because South Africa's recent T20 international form is a far better guide to this tour than their one-day results. Crucially, it came from a similarly young, developmental group rather than the first-choice side.
Their most recent T20I assignment was a five-match series away in New Zealand in March 2026, which the Proteas won 3-2. They finished strongly, sealing the series with back-to-back wins in the final two matches, first by 19 runs and then by 33 runs, defending totals with real confidence. Winning a T20I series in New Zealand with a second-string squad was an excellent result, and several of the players making this Namibia trip were part of it. That momentum, and the experience those youngsters banked, is exactly what South Africa will hope to carry into Windhoek.
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, Jason Smith
Wicketkeepers: Connor Esterhuizen, Rubin Hermann, Lhuan-dré Pretorius
All-rounder: Prenelan Subrayen
Bowlers: Bjorn Fortuin (captain), Eathan Bosch, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena, Nqabayomzi Peter, Lutho Sipamla
Frequently asked questions
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.
📋 Namibia T20I Tri-Series 2026 Complete Guide