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Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson crack WTC final squad as Proteas select six quicks

Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson crack WTC final squad as Proteas select six quicks
South Africa national men's cricket team Head coach Shukri Conrad during the South Africa national men's cricket team squad announcement at CSA Head Offices on May 13, 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Photo by Lefty Shivambu/Gallo Images)
Keanan Hemmonsbey
By Keanan Hemmonsbey
13 May 2025
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Shukri Conrad opts for skill over pace in the bowling department for next month’s World Test Championship final squad.

Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad has announced his 15-player squad for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia at Lord’s in England next month.

The make-up of the fast bowlers was the most anticipated area of selection with South Africa’s pace battery at capacity for the first time in years with zero injuries.

Kagiso Rabada — despite his recent recreational drug use ban — and Marco Jansen, as leaders of the pack, were the automatic selections. Conrad has opted to supplement with Dane Paterson, Lungi Ngidi as well as fast-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch.

This means that fit again rocket slingers Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Nandre Burger won’t make the trip, as well as recently capped youngster Kwena Maphaka.

Outside of Bosch, who possesses extra pace, Conrad has instead opted for his more skilful bowlers in the English conditions.

Ngidi has only played two Test matches in the current WTC cycle for the Proteas, against India at the start of 2024 and against West Indies in August last year. Those are the only two Test matches Ngidi has played since December 2022.

South Africa national men's cricket team head coach Shukri Conrad. (Photo: Lefty Shivambu / Gallo Images)



Outside of the quicks, the squad has no real surprises with Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy providing the spin options, and Kyle Verreynne expected to don the keeping gloves.

“It is a special moment for this group to contest the WTC final,” Conrad said. “Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit, and this achievement reflects that progress.

“A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s.

“I’m particularly pleased to welcome Lungi back in the side. He’s put in the work and offers us an experienced option with the ball.”

Batting stocks


The batters are as expected, with skipper Temba Bavuma leading the line with the willow. There are several options at the top of the order, with Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton having opened the batting in recent times.

But Conrad clarified that Rickelton would open alongside Markram in the WTC final, with his double century at the top of the order — the first time he opened in Test cricket — in his last Test innings proving enough to get the nod.

“It might have been a headache but I think Ricks [Rickelton] has nailed that down so Ryan will be the opening bat with Aiden [Markram],” Conrad said.

“We’ll look at the balance we want to go with, whether Tony [de Zorzi] slots in at three, whether he slots in in the middle order, conditions will determine all of that.

“But right at the top of the order, there’s definitely no headache.”

David Bedingham has also cracked the nod despite suffering a fractured toe last month, having only played one match for Durham in the County Championship this season because of the injury.

The destructive Tristan Stubbs rounds out the list of batters.

“We’ll always select the best 15 that we feel suit the conditions as well as the opposition that we are playing,” Bavuma said.

“After the Pakistan series we knew where we wanted to go. Now it’s the tough decisions [to be made].

“As much as [Conrad] says there’s comfort and confidence within the starting XI as to which way we go, there were considerations from a bowling point of view, the guys with an extra bit of pace.

“In terms of the 15, there’s not a lot of headaches. When it comes to the 11, once we’ve seen the conditions there will be deeper conversations that need to be had.”

Opponents


Australia, who are defending their WTC crown, announced their squad for the final yesterday.

It includes exciting young prospect Sam Konstas as well as their consistent pack of bowlers in Josh Hazlewood, skipper Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc and Scott Boland.

They have also welcomed back all-rounder Cameron Green, who last played Test cricket in March last year after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

“We are fortunate and looking forward to having Pat, Josh and Cam back in the squad,” said chairperson of selectors George Bailey. “The team finished the WTC cycle with an impressive series victory in Sri Lanka, following an equally strong summer in defeating India for the first time in a decade.

“Those series capped a consistent performance across the two-year cycle and now present us with the incredibly exciting opportunity to defend the World Test Championship.”

Under fire South-Africa-born batter Marnus Labuschagne has also made the 15-player cut. DM

South Africa’s squad for the WTC final


Temba Bavuma (captain, Lions), David Bedingham (Western Province), Corbin Bosch (Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Marco Jansen (North West Dragons), Keshav Maharaj (Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Titans), Wiaan Mulder (Lions), Senuran Muthusamy (Warriors), Lungi Ngidi (Titans), Dane Paterson (Western Province), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Ryan Rickelton (Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Warriors), and Kyle Verreynne (Western Province).

Australia’s squad for the WTC final


Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Nathan Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann, Brendan Doggett (travelling reserve).

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