South Africa will head to Pakistan without two of their most senior white-ball players after David Miller (hamstring) and Gerald Coetzee (pectoral) were ruled out on Wednesday. The double setback has prompted a hurried rejig of both limited-overs squads, with uncapped opener Tony de Zorzi and seamer Ottniel Baartman among the late call-ups.
Miller, already earmarked to stand in as T20I captain while Aiden Markram rests, pulled up during a fielding drill in Johannesburg. Scans showed a grade-one strain in his right hamstring. Cricket South Africa confirmed: “He will now begin a phased rehabilitation program,” CSA said. The left-hander will remain at home and is not expected to feature again until the domestic 50-over competition in December.
All-rounder Donovan Ferreira takes over the T20I captaincy for the three-match series in Rawalpindi, starting 28 October. It is a rapid promotion; Ferreira’s only previous international leadership came in last month’s one-off T20I against Namibia, a game South Africa lost by four wickets. Speaking at OR Tambo airport, he admitted the switch in roles is “not how anyone wanted it, but the job’s the same – put runs on the board and back the bowlers”.
Coetzee’s absence is longer-term. The quick damaged a pectoral muscle during that Namibia fixture, leaving the field after just nine balls. Subsequent medical imaging confirmed a significant tear. “Subsequent scans revealed the extent of the injury and following specialist consultation, he has commenced a structured rehabilitation program under the supervision of the Cricket South Africa High Performance and Momentum Multiply Titans medical teams,” CSA said. The 25-year-old is unlikely to bowl again until the New Year Test series against Sri Lanka.
Left-arm prospect Kwena Maphaka had already withdrawn with a separate hamstring strain, meaning South Africa will tour with only two frontline quicks who have played more than ten internationals – Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger. Selection convenor Victor Mpitsang conceded the attack is “light on caps but not on pace”, pointing to Baartman’s 26 first-class wickets this winter and rookie Nqaba Peter’s brisk new-ball spells for the Warriors.
Batsman Matthew Breetzke, fresh from a maiden century for the Dolphins, was previously appointed ODI captain and now finds himself opening in both formats. He will be joined in the T20Is by De Zorzi, whose unbeaten 148 for Western Province last week hastened his promotion.
The schedule remains tight: three T20Is in Rawalpindi (28, 30 Oct, 1 Nov) followed by three ODIs in Faisalabad (4, 6, 8 Nov). The squad departs for Islamabad on 23 October.
Squads
T20Is: Donovan Ferreira (capt), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams, Ottniel Baartman.
ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Qeshile, Ottniel Baartman.
Analysis
Injury-enforced reshuffles are becoming a pattern for South Africa. This latest disruption again tests depth charts that, on paper, looked encouraging six months ago. Miller’s void in the middle order is particularly awkward – he averages 31 in T20Is and often closes innings with minimal fuss. Ferreira can finish, too, but his international sample size is four matches.
Coetzee’s raw pace and late-over yorkers will be missed most in the ODIs, where Pakistan’s aggressive top order tend to push games deep. Ngidi’s experience is invaluable, yet the 27-year-old has had his own fitness issues. Expect George Linde and Bjorn Fortuin to shoulder more work through the middle overs, even if Pakistani surfaces can be unforgiving for spin that strays.
The upside? Opportunity. De Zorzi, Brevis and Pretorius have spent two years on the fringes and now have six high-pressure matches to push World Cup claims. If they adapt quickly, South Africa may yet look back on this mini-crisis as a timely audition rather than a derailment.
