Tristan Stubbs and Dewald Brevis - (Source: AFP)
On Tuesday, January 27, South Africa and the West Indies will lock horns for a three-match T20I series. The tour, which was earlier set to be a five-match series, was reduced to three matches due to the T20 World Cup 2026.
Nonetheless, the upcoming series will serve as a preparation ground for both teams as the World Cup is less than a fortnight away. Talking about the upcoming game, Boland Park in Paarl will host the curtain-raiser.
South Africa vs West Indies 1st T20I preview
Interestingly, the West Indies are yet to announce their squad for the series, and they have less than 24 hours before the first T20I. The Caribbean side has also kept its T20 World Cup squad under wraps. However, the Windies recently locked horns against Afghanistan in the UAE, and it is expected that the same squad travels to South Africa for the T20I series.
The Proteas, on the other hand, have Aiden Markram as the captain. The players are fresh off an SA20 season and might be a little out of gas. Further, the final was on January 25, and the players who featured in the final game might find it difficult to feature in the opening T20I against the West Indies.
South Africa are also dealing with injuries as Tony de Zorzi, David Miller, and Donovan Ferriera have been ruled out of the series. Therefore, there isn’t much of a selection headache, and this article will shed light on South Africa’s probable XI for the 1st T20I.
Top Order: Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, Jason Smith
No Reeza Hendricks, Rickelton to pair up with de Kock
Ever since Quinton de Kock reversed his retirement, the Proteas have picked him ahead of Ryan Rickelton, who now sits on the bench and was also ignored for the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. However, an injury to De Zorzi allowed Rickelton a late entry to the team, and now he is all set to open with De Kock in the 1st T20I.
Further, Reeza Hendricks is not a part of the squad for the West Indies series, which makes Rickelton a certainty for the first T20I.
Middle-Order: Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Marco Jansen
Why no Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs?
Notably, South Africa have both Dewald Brevis and Tristan Stubbs in the squad, but the team is likely to go ahead with Jason Smith and Rubin Hermann as the middle-order batters. Notably, Brevis and Stubbs were part of the SA20 final, and it is difficult for them to join the team on such short notice and play the first T20I.
Also, both Brevis and Stubbs are part of the T20 World Cup 2026 squad, so the Proteas will also look at their workload management. Therefore, the two rising stars are expected to join the team from the 2nd T20I.
Chance for Rubin Hermann to impress selectors
In Brevis' absence, Rubin Hermann gets a chance to impress the selectors. The 28-year-old made his T20I debut in July 2025, but has not achieved anything great. In six games, he has just 153 runs, which includes a solitary fifty.
Also, he has to take the onus on his shoulders because South Africa lack genuine middle-order batters and they will be forced to include the likes of George Linde and Marco Jansen at No. 6 and No.7
Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka, Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch
Another reason why George Linde has to play is because of the absence of Keshav Maharaj, who captained Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 final. Therefore, South Africa need a spinner.
Rest, Kagiso Rabada has recovered from his injury and will play the 1st T20I. Lungi Ngidi won’t be available because of SA20 reasons. Further, Corbin Bosch has to be there to enhance batting depth in the team. Rest, Anrich Nortje, and Kwena Maphaka will look after the pace attack and form a formidable quartet.
South Africa's predicted playing XI for West Indies, 1st T20I, 2026
Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Aiden Markram (C), Jason Smith, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Kwena Maphaka
