After Durban, South Africa drop Stubbs from the team; call a player with two Test experience and watch Rabada come back

Tristan Stubbs bowls on the third day of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia in Durban, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo South Africa have called up Matthew Breetzke and left out Tristan Stubbs from their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, coach Shukri Conrad said on Thursday.The changes are likely to see a change in South Africa’s batting order for the Test starting on Sunday. Conrad also confirmed that Ryan Rickelton will take over as goalkeeper. This could mean that Kyle Verreynne is out, although he remains with the team. Verreynne has not scored a Test half-century in his last 13 innings.The changes come after South Africa lost the first Test by 214 runs in Durban on Tuesday. Stubbs scored 33 runs in his two innings in the match at Kingsmead.Breetzke played two Tests for South Africa, against Bangladesh at the end of 2024 and Zimbabwe last year. He has a first-class batting average of 37 and last played a first-class match in February. However, he scored a century in the first ODI against Australia last month.“Matt has been part of the team before and the fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is has given him an inside track and also, more importantly, the attitude and character that Matt brings and has will go a long way,” Conrad said.With Rickelton ready to take on the gloves, South Africa must also decide where to bat. He could continue to open the innings and keep wickets as he did earlier or move down the order.“Obviously with Ricks (Rickelton) taking the gloves, there’s a decision to be made whether he moves down the order or if he can continue to open the bat and take the gloves, which he’s done before,” Conrad said.“We’ll see what the conditions are like, but there are a few things to consider before the game starts.”Breetzke could now open alongside Aiden Markram. Tony de Zorzi, meanwhile, remains unavailable as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury sustained during the ODI series last month.South Africa also expect leading fast bowler Kagiso Rabada to return for the second Test. He missed the first game as a precaution due to a long-term hamstring problem, but is expected to be fit for Sunday’s game.platoon: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Verton Rabada, Ryan.