South Africa’s squad for the World Test Championship finale has been further strengthened by the return of speedster Lungi Ngidi, who missed out on the home summer assignments due to a groin injury.

The pacer, who has since fully recovered, has featured for South Africa in white-ball cricket earlier in 2025, and also featured in global T20 leagues.

Temba Bavuma leads South Africa’s charge in their first-ever WTC Final starting 11 June at Lord’s, having qualified for the Ultimate Test after finishing first in the WTC Standings with a point percentage of 69.44.

The Proteas have largely kept faith in their trusted core, making only two changes to the 16-player squad that faced Pakistan. Youngster Kwena Maphaka misses out at the expense of the returning Ngidi, while top-order batter Matthew Breetzke also drops out.

Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram make up the top order batting options, whereas rising star Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham and Bavuma will hold fort in the middle order. Kyle Verreynne will be an electric presence behind the stumps and lower down the order, and all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen can also contribute with the bat.

Mulder and Jansen will be joined by ace pacer Kagiso Rabada, Ngidi, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch to frame up the fast-bowling lineup. Tweaker Keshav Maharaj will be the face of the spin resources alongside Senuran Muthusamy.

SOUTH AFRICA SQUAD FOR WTC25 FINAL
Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.

Head coach Shukri Conrad believed the outfit covered all bases for South Africa in English conditions.

“Firstly, I want to congratulate each of the players selected for this squad. It is a special moment for this group to contest the WTC Final. 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.”

Conrad was especially pleased with the return of Ngidi to red-ball cricket, and believed the right-arm pacer would boost the fast bowling resources in the setup.

“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.”

South Africa played 12 Tests in the 2023-25 World Test Championship cycle and won eight matches. They began with a drawn series against India (1-1) at home, before losing to New Zealand away (0-2) in the 2023/24 season. Then in August 2024, they toured West Indies, winning the two-Test series 1-0.

This was followed by impeccable whitewash wins against Bangladesh (2-0, away), Sri Lanka (2-0, home) and Pakistan (2-0, home)

Their opponents Australia announced their squad earlier on Tuesday for their 2025 World Test Championship mace defence.