Limited-overs skipper Quinton de Kock will captain South Africa in their Test cricket also.
This decision was announced by the Proteas’ chief selector, Victor Mpitsang, over the weekend.
A statement released by Cricket South Africa reads: “De Kock’s appointment for this season is motivated by the light Test cricket load on this season, with the Proteas only playing three series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Australia respectively.”
Mpitsang adds: “Quinton [de Kock] is happy to continue in the role for the next season and is comfortable with the balance of the workload and we back him fully as a captain.”
While De Kock, who was previously ruled out as five-day leader, was a surprise leader for the season, Mpitsang and his selectors also called up uncapped trio Sarel Erwee, Glenton Stuurman and Kyle Verreynne for the series against Sri Lanka, which starts on Boxing Day.
The proteas, though, will have to do without their best bowler Kagiso Rabada, who alongside Dwaine Pretorius “are not yet fit enough for the physical exertions of Test cricket as a result of injuries picked up during the England tour”.
Proteas squad against Sri Lanka: Quinton de Kock (captain), Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Faf du Plessis, Beuran Hendricks, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Rassie van der Dussen, Sarel Erwee, Anrich Nortje, Glenton Stuurman, Wiaan Mulder, Keegan Petersen and Kyle Verreynne.