Johannesburg, Sep 9: Former captain Faf du Plessis, veteran leg-spinner Imran Tahir and all-rounder Chris Morris were left out as South Africa on Thursday announced an 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Tahir and du Plessis had retired from the other forms of the game to focus on playing in the showpiece event scheduled to be held in the UAE from October 17 to November 14.

Temba Bavuma, who had surgery on Sunday and is expected to be fit by mid to late October, will lead the young team, which also features Keshav Maharaj, the left-arm spinner who is yet to play a T20 International.

In Bavuma's absence, Maharaj will captain South Africa in the upcoming T20I series in Sri Lanka.

"Kesh is an excellent leader," said Victor Mpitsang, CSA's convenor of selectors.

"He has the backing of the team and us as a panel. He has more than proven his leadership skills in the Dolphins set up and reinforced our good decision during the ODI series against Sri Lanka which ended on Tuesday.

"His exemplary captaincy is what we believe is in the best interests of the team's stability during this last international series that the team gets to play ahead of the World Cup."

In the spin department, apart from Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Bjorn Fortuin will be the specialist bowlers in the squad.

Quinton de Kock, Aidem Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller will form part of an experienced batting line-up, while the fast-bowling line-up features Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Anrich Nortje.

"There is no better time than now for us to bring home the trophy, and bring the nation together in a way that only sport can," said Mpitsang.

"We hope that South Africans will rally behind this team and cheer them all the way to the final."

George Linde, Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams were named as reserve players.

South Africa have been placed in Group 1 in the showpiece event alongside Australia, England, and West Indies.

The Squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Keshav Maharaj, Quinton de Kock (wk), Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Aiden Markram, David Miller, W Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister H K Patil said that the state Cabinet has discussed key legislations, including the proposed Rohith Vemula Bill and the honour killing Bill, and decided to seek further inputs before taking them forward.

Briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the law and parliamentary affairs minister said the proposed legislations were examined in detail, and certain aspects required additional consultation with the home department.

"The Karnataka Freedom of Choice in Marriage and Prevention and Prohibition of Crimes in the Name of Honour and Tradition Bill, 2026, was discussed in the Cabinet.

"As certain aspects require the opinion of the home department, it has been referred back to it and will be placed before the next Cabinet meeting. This relates to human rights," the minister said.

He said the draft Karnataka Rohith Vemula (Prevention of Exclusion or Injustice) Right to Education and Dignity Bill, 2026, was also deliberated upon by the Cabinet.

"The draft Rohith Vemula Bill was also discussed today. After obtaining certain inputs from the home department, it will be placed before the next Cabinet meeting for finalisation," Patil said.

Asked if the Rohith Vemula Bill would apply only to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes or also include Other Backward Classes, Patil said, "We will discuss the matter when it comes to you as an approved Bill."

Patil reiterated that both the Rohith Vemula Bill and the honour killing Bill would be brought back before the Cabinet after the home department’s views are received, indicating that the government intends to move ahead after completing due consultations.