South Africa drop Tristan Stubbs after 214-run defeat to Australia

South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad has made major selection changes following his team’s crushing 214-run defeat against Australia in the first Test, dropping Tristan Stubbs from the squad for the second match while retaining wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne as a reserve.

Conrad announced the squad on Thursday ahead of the second Test, which begins on Sunday, as South Africa look to bounce back from their disappointing performance in Durban.

Stubbs has been left out entirely, while Verreynne will remain available as a back-up wicketkeeper. The changes signal a potential reshuffle of South Africa’s batting order as the team attempts to address its top-order struggles.

Ryan Rickelton is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties, a move that could also see him shifted down the batting order after failing to make an impact as an opener in the first Test.

South Africa are likely to make at least three changes, with fast bowler Kagiso Rabada potentially returning after missing the Durban match while recovering from a hamstring injury.

Conrad had voiced frustration with his team’s batting after the defeat, criticising its reliance on contributions from lower-order players. Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma were among the few top-order batters to deliver consistently.

Meanwhile, Matthew Breetzke has been added to the squad after producing strong performances in one-day internationals.

South Africa will hope the adjustments strengthen their batting and bowling as they prepare for the second Test against Australia, with pressure mounting on the team to deliver a much-improved performance.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.