South Africa Hit by Injury Concern Ahead of Pakistan Series

South Africa faces an injury concern as they prepare for their limited-overs series against Pakistan. Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee suffered a pectoral muscle injury during the recent T20I match against Namibia in Windhoek.

Coetzee, during his spell, bowled only 1.3 overs, sending down four wides, before exiting the field. It appeared that delivering a particularly fast ball exacerbated his injury.

Officials from Cricket South Africa (CSA) have stated that the bowler will not participate further in the game and will undergo evaluation upon his return.

The 23-year-old has been dealing with a series of injuries recently. A groin issue kept him out of the Champions Trophy earlier this year, but he returned to play in Zimbabwe in July.

Since then, he has played for South Africa A against New Zealand A and secured spots in both the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming tour against Pakistan, which is scheduled to start in late October after the two-Test series.

The 25-year-old’s last Test appearance was in November 2023, after which a groin injury sidelined him for the remainder of the Test season.

This setback follows an injury to left-arm seamer Kwena Maphaka, who has already been ruled out of both the Namibia match and the Pakistan tour due to a hamstring strain he sustained in a domestic first-class match last weekend.

Despite these injuries, South Africa still has a formidable pace attack.

Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams have successfully recovered from back and knee problems, respectively, while Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and Wiaan Mulder will spearhead the pace attack in the two-Test series, which commences on Sunday in Pakistan.

Lungi Ngidi, although not chosen for the Tests, will play in the limited-overs matches as South Africa anticipates spin-friendly conditions for the Test series in their attempt to defend their World Test Championship title.

South Africa squads for Pakistan white-ball series:
  • T20Is: David Miller (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane and Lizaad Williams.
  • ODIs: Matthew Breetzke (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Sinethemba Qeshile.