South Africa have suffered a significant setback ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, with batters Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira ruled out of the tournament due to injury.
The duo will also miss the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies, prompting Cricket South Africa (CSA) to draft in Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs as replacements.
De Zorzi has failed to recover in time from a right hamstring tear sustained during last month’s ODI series against India. Despite undergoing rehabilitation, medical staff have ruled him out of contention, forcing the left-hander to miss both the T20I series and the World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.
Ferreira’s setback is equally unfortunate. The hard-hitting middle-order batter fractured his left clavicle during a domestic T20 fixture earlier this month and has been sidelined indefinitely, ending his World Cup hopes.
South Africa’s injury concerns do not end there. Veteran finisher David Miller is also racing against time after suffering an adductor muscle injury while playing in South Africa’s domestic T20 competition on Monday. CSA confirmed Miller will take no part in the T20I series against West Indies, with his World Cup availability subject to the outcome of a fitness assessment.
Miller’s potential absence would be a massive blow for the Proteas, given his reputation as a proven match-winner in global tournaments. The left-hander played a key role in South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, delivering several clutch performances under pressure.
With the tournament fast approaching, the Proteas have been forced into late squad adjustments, raising questions over balance and experience in their middle order. However, the inclusion of Rickelton and Stubbs provides depth and firepower, with both players enjoying impressive recent form.
South Africa’s updated T20 World Cup 2026 squad:
Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs.
Slotted in Group D, South Africa will begin their T20 World Cup 2026 campaign against Canada on February 9, as they look to overcome injury setbacks and mount a serious title challenge.
