Van der Dussen to lead South Africa as Markram rested
Top-order batter Rassie van der Dussen will stand in as captain for rested Aiden Markram when South Africa play hosts Zimbabwe and New Zealand in a Twenty20 tri-series during July.
Markram struck a second-innings 136 at Lord's this month to steer South Africa to a five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final.
Batters Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller, all-rounder Marco Jansen, quick Kagiso Rabada and left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj are also rested.
"The all-format guys have been rested (as) their last couple of months have been chock-a-block," said coach Shukri Conrad on Thursday after naming the squad.
"It was a really big thing for me that they get a really good break away from cricket and freshen up.
"We will also use this opportunity to look at guys that potentially could stake a claim to make the (2026) T20 World Cup squad," he added.
Seamers Gerald Coetzee and Nandre Burger return after lengthy injury-induced absences from the Proteas.
Hamstring and groin injuries sidelined Coetzee while a lower-back stress fracture ruled out Burger.
The squad includes two uncapped cricketers -- batters Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Rubin Hermann, while left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy and all-rounder Corbin Bosch are set for their T20 international debuts.
South Africa face Zimbabwe in the series opener on July 14 at Harare Sports Club and the final is scheduled for July 26.
Squad
Rassie van der Dussen (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane
Coach: Shukri Conrad (RSA)
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