South Africa has received a major blow before their 2026 T20 World Cup because both Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira have been declared unfit to participate in the prestigious event which takes place in India and Sri Lanka. 

De Zorzi has not achieved rehabilitation success according to expected recovery milestones since he suffered a right hamstring muscle tear which occurred during the ODI series against India last month. The left-hander needs more rehabilitation according to medical staff because he will not reach full health before the upcoming T20I series. De Zorzi has withdrawn from the World Cup squad.

Ferreira experienced a left clavicle fracture during a domestic T20 match which took place in South Africa earlier this month. His injury demands extended recovery because it will prevent him from participating in international competitions until further notice while it also nullifies his chance to compete at the World Cup.

Rickelton and Stubbs recalled and Miller fitness concern looms ahead of World Cup

The Proteas have responded by calling up Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs as replacements. South Africa has gained batting strength through the return of both batters who were missing from the initial squad after South Africa announced their first team.

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David Miller who has experience as a campaigner has developed fitness problems because he has an adductor muscle injury. Miller has been ruled out of the three-match home T20I series against the West Indies but remains in contention for the World Cup, subject to passing a fitness test closer to the tournament.

In the meantime, in-form Rubin Hermann has been drafted into the squad for the West Indies series after impressing in the ongoing SA20 league. South Africa will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Canada on February 9 in Ahmedabad after they were placed in Group D.

Updated South Africa T20 World Cup Squad

Aiden Markram (captain), 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, Tristan Stubbs

*Subject to fitness test