Markram to make Test debut for South Africa

Markram, 22, will open the batting with Dean Elgar in place of Heino Kuhn, who struggled during South Africa’s losing series in England earlier this year and has not played since being injured in the fourth Test.

Markram, who captained South Africa to the Under-19 World Cup title in 2014, was part of the South African Test squad in England but did not win a Test cap.

He averaged 51.94 for the Titans last season – his first at senior franchise level – and was named captain of the franchise for this season.

He made a strong claim for Test selection by scoring 119 and 87 in a season-opening current match against the Dolphins in Centurion.

One-day international all-rounder Andile Phehlukwayo, a teammate of Markram at the 2004 Under-19 World Cup, is the only other uncapped player in the 13-man squad. Phehlukwayo was part of the Test squad in England.

All-rounder Wayne Parnell was also named in the squad. Three fast bowlers, Vernon Philander, Chris Morris and Dale Steyn, were ruled out because of injury. 

The 19-year-old all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who captained South Africa Under-19 last season, will join the squad as cover for Parnell, who has to pass a fitness Test.

The squad has been named for the first match only.

South African squad: Faf du Plessis (capt), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wkt), Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Duanne Olivier, Wayne Parnell, Andile Phehlukwayo, Kagiso Rabada. DM