South Africa omit Bedingham and Verreynne from 15-man squad for Bangladesh Tests

South Africa have left David Bedingham and Kyle Verreynne out of their 15-member squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh, with the first Test at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg from November 15 to 19 and the second at SuperSport Park in Centurion from November 23 to 27. The selections were announced following the Proteas’ recent home fixtures.

The changes follow South Africa’s 2-1 series victory over Australia this summer, and Temba Bavuma will continue as captain for the Bangladesh assignment. Tony de Zorzi has been included after recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled him out of the Australia series, and Zubayr Hamza has been added to bolster the top order. The squad contains 15 players selected for the two Tests.

David Bedingham’s omission comes despite his contributions in the Australia series: he scored 49 and 46 in the opening Test in Durban and added a half-century in the series-deciding third Test in Cape Town. Kyle Verreynne played in the first Test, making 13 and 1, before Ryan Rickelton took over wicketkeeping duties for the remainder of the series.

Anrich Nortje returns to the side after being sidelined for two weeks with a groin injury and joins the pace contingent alongside Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch. Wiaan Mulder is included as an additional all-round option. Lungi Ngidi has not been considered for selection as he continues his rehabilitation.

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad outlined the conditions expected on the Highveld and the selection emphasis, saying: "Traditionally, surfaces on the Highveld favour pace and bounce, although we have seen the Wanderers offer some assistance to spin in recent times. So with that in mind, there will be greater focus on our seam-bowling options," Conrad said.

The Proteas’ series win over Australia followed a recovery from a heavy opening defeat; they lost the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, replied with an innings and 31-run victory in Gqeberha — in which Bavuma produced a career-best 179 after the hosts had slipped to 110 for six — and sealed the series with a 176-run win at Newlands. Chasing 288 in Cape Town, Australia were bowled out for 111 as Simon Harmer took six wickets for 16 in a decisive final-day spell.

South Africa will assemble the announced squad in Johannesburg on November 11. Proteas squad for Bangladesh home Tests Temba Bavuma (captain), 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 and Ryan Rickelton.