2 South Africa stars ruled out of T20 World Cup 2026; Stubbs, Rickelton named replacement

CSA name updated South Africa squad [Source: AFP]

South Africa batters Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira have both been officially ruled out of the upcoming three-match ODI series against West Indies. Moreover, the two cricketers have also been excluded from South Africa squad for next month’s 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Both Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira are yet to fully recover from their respective injuries. While Zorzi suffered a hamstring injury last month during South Africa’s tour of India, Ferreira was recently ruled out of an SA20 2025-26 game last weekend.

CSA recall Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs as replacements

Cricket South Africa (CSA) has named Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs as the replacements for Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira respectively for the upcoming three-match T20I series against West Indies and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.

Rickelton has been in exceptional form with the bat for the MI Cape Town franchise this SA20 2025-26 season. A couple of weeks ago, the blistering left-handed opening batter bludgeoned 113* runs off just 60 balls against Joburg Super Kings in Johannesburg, smearing eight boundaries and nine huge sixes in the process.

Ryan Rickelton has also emerged as the second highest run-getter of the SA20 2025-26 season so far with 337 runs in nine innings at a splendid average of 42.12. The attacking opening batter has also maintained a staggering strike rate of 156.01 in the process.

Rickelton played the IPL 2025 season for the Mumbai Indians franchise last year, an experience that could prove beneficial for South Africa as he brings familiarity with Indian conditions heading into the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Tristan Stubbs, on the other hand, was originally excluded from South Africa’s squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as announced by the CSA earlier this month, largely owing to his form concerns. However, a double injury blow for the South African cricket team has brought Stubbs back into the national contention just weeks before a showpiece event.

With Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs currently representing their respective franchises in SA20 2025-26 season, the two cricketers will join the national squad for the home series against West Indies as part of their T20 World Cup 2026 preparations. Here is a look at the entire updated South Africa squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

South Africa squad for T20 World Cup 2026:

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 and Tristan Stubbs

David Miller replaced by Rubin Hermann for WI series

Senior South Africa batter David Miller suffered an adductor muscle injury earlier this week during a SA20 2025-26 match for Paarl Royals. While he has been replaced by Rubin Hermann for the home T20Is against West Indies, Miller is still included in South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad and his availability remains subject to the outcome of a fitness test.

South Africa squad for three-match T20I series vs West Indies

Aiden Markram (c), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Rubin Hermann, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs

The three-match T20I series between South Africa and West Indies will be played between January 27 and January 31 next week.