Donovan Ferreira replacements in South Africa squad for T20 World Cup 2026

Tristan Stubbs can be one of the replacements for Donovan Ferreira [Image Credits: X]

After South Africa batter Donovan Ferreira was ruled out of the SA20 2025-26, it is now severely doubtful that he will be able to play the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament in India and Sri Lanka.

For the uninitiated, Donovan Ferreira suffered a serious shoulder injury while fielding for the Joburg Super Kings against the Pretoria Capitals. He landed awkwardly while attempting to save a certain boundary and fell heavily on his left shoulder, resulting in the injury.

Replacements for Donovan Ferreira in T20 World Cup 2026 squad

As per the latest reports, Ferreira will have to undergo multiple scans to determine whether he can return to action and to assess his recovery timeline.

With only a few weeks left before the T20 World Cup 2026, here are some of the most suitable alternatives to Ferreira’s firepower who could potentially replace him in South Africa’s squad.

1) Matthew Breetzke

Matthew Breetzke could be one of the possible alternatives for Donovan Ferreira in the squad, although he does not offer the same level of impact that Ferreira brings at the No. 6 position.

Ferreira has an impressive strike rate of 147.32 while batting at No. 6 in his 12 T20I appearances for South Africa, scoring 165 runs. Breetzke, however, has never batted at No. 6 in T20Is, but he has played several innings at No. 3, where he averages 23.75 at a strike rate of 143.38.

[Matthew Breetzke T20I stats]

At No. 5, Breetzke has struggled, managing a strike rate of just 53.85. Despite not being in his best form overall, Breetzke still possesses significant firepower, which he showcased in the SA20 2025–26 season, where he scored 201 runs from seven innings for Sunrisers Eastern Cape. He averaged 28.71 in the tournament, with notable scores of 66 and 52.

2) Tristan Stubbs

Tristan Stubbs could prove to be a solid replacement for Donovan Ferreira in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad. The young batter has featured in 13 T20I matches at the No. 6 position, scoring 241 runs at an average of 26.78 and a strike rate of 158.55.

Overall in T20Is, Stubbs has two half-centuries to his name, with an average of 27.40 and a strike rate of 132.15. Although he has experienced a mixed form in the ongoing SA20 league, he still averages 34.33 from seven innings.

[Tristan Stubbs T20I stats]

If backed for the T20 World Cup squad, Tristan Stubbs could offer an explosive option as a replacement for Donovan Ferreira while blending seamlessly in Asian conditions.

3) Ryan Rickelton

Ryan Rickelton could be another viable option to replace Donovan Ferreira. While he does not typically bat lower down the order and is not considered a pure power hitter, players like Dewald Brevis or David Miller could compensate for the slot Rickelton would occupy at the top of the order. 

[Ryan Rickelton stats]

Despite not being a conventional power hitter, Rickelton’s T20 credentials indicate dominance, having scored 381 runs from 18 T20I matches at a strike rate of 134.15.

He averages 21.17 in the matches he has played for South Africa. In the current SA20 season as well, Rickelton has been in excellent form, scoring two centuries in nine innings. He averages 42.13 in the SA20 2025–26 league at a strike rate of 156.02, while amassing 337 runs.