South Africa A’s squad for the upcoming tour of England has been revealed, featuring experienced players Dane Paterson and Ottneil Baartman, alongside emerging pacer Nqobani Mokoena. The tour will kick off with two four-day matches starting on May 22, with Marques Ackermann leading the team. Wandile Gwavu will head the coaching staff, supported by Justin Ontong and Rory Kleinveldt for batting and bowling responsibilities.
Baartman, aged 33, returns to contention after narrowly missing out on the T20 World Cup selection. He aims to make an impact in red-ball cricket, while young fast bowler Mokoena, who has already played T20Is, continues his development. Paterson’s comeback to the longer-format setup is noteworthy, having last appeared in Tests during the 2024 Boxing Day match that secured South Africa’s spot in the World Test Championship final.
The trio of pacers – Paterson, Baartman, and Mokoena – have also been named in the one-day squad for the subsequent three-match series. They will be joined by promising quicks Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee. In the batting lineup, Tony de Zorzi returns from injury, featuring in both squads alongside Jason Smith. Other batting options include Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Sinethemba Qeshile, and Lesego Senokwane, all vying for national selection opportunities.
The one-day squad includes Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen, currently active in the Indian Premier League. Pretorius, a versatile player, has represented South Africa across formats, while Esterhuizen made a mark on his T20I debut tour in New Zealand. The matches will be held at familiar venues in Arundel, Beckenham, Leicester, and Worcester, providing a comprehensive test for South Africa A as they aim to strengthen their squad across formats.
