Proteas Drop Bedingham, Recall De Zorzi and Hamza
Cricket South Africa has named a 15-man Test squad for the two-match home series against Bangladesh, with Tony de Zorzi and Zubayr Hamza returning.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Tennis
David Bedingham has been dropped from the Proteas Test squad for the two-match home series against Bangladesh, while Tony de Zorzi and Zubayr Hamza have been recalled. Anrich Nortje has returned from a groin injury and is included in the 15-man squad.
Why it matters
The selections reflect a shift in the Proteas' middle-order options after a series against Australia in which Bedingham struggled, particularly against the short ball. The recall of De Zorzi, who missed the Australia Tests with a hamstring injury, adds a settled top-order option for a home series in South Africa.
Hamza has eight Test caps and last appeared in Test cricket in New Zealand in February 2024. He scored 343 runs in four first-class matches at an average of 57.16 last home summer.
The players
Cricket South Africa
The national governing body for cricket in South Africa, responsible for selecting the national men's Test squad and organising international fixtures.
David Bedingham
A South African batter who was dropped from the Test squad after a series against Australia in which he struggled against the short ball.
Tony de Zorzi
A left-handed South African batter who was recalled to the Test squad after missing the Australia Tests with a hamstring injury.
Zubayr Hamza
A South African batter with eight Test caps who was recalled to the Test squad after a strong first-class season at home.
Anrich Nortje
A South African fast bowler who has returned from a groin injury and was included in the 15-man Test squad.
The details
Bedingham was left out of the 15-man squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which begins at the Wanderers and continues at SuperSport Park, Centurion. Lungi Ngidi was not considered as he continues rehabilitation from a hamstring strain, and Kyle Verreynne, Senuran Muthusamy and Gerald Coetzee were not retained from the Australia squad.
Timeline
15 November 2026: First Test against Bangladesh begins at the Wanderers.
23 November 2026: Second Test against Bangladesh begins at SuperSport Park, Centurion.
2 November 2026: Cricket South Africa announces the 15-man Test squad.
Season Trajectory
The selections follow directly from the Proteas' Australia series, where Bedingham's returns were not enough to keep his place. The recall of De Zorzi and Hamza signals the squad is reshaping its middle order ahead of a two-match home series against Bangladesh.
De Zorzi and Hamza's recalls change the batting options for fantasy and team selection in the coming Tests. Bedingham's exclusion removes a middle-order option from the national squad until his form improves.
The takeaway
Selection changes after a series often signal where a team sees its next opportunity, and the Proteas' choices here point to a squad rebuilding its batting depth. Watch the final XI for the first Test to see how the hosts balance their spin options.
What happens next
The first Test against Bangladesh begins at the Wanderers on 15 November 2026, followed by the second Test at SuperSport Park, Centurion, on 23 November 2026.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in the Tennis section for related sports news.
