South Africa recall batters for Gqeberha as Breetzke comes in, Stubbs is dropped and Rickelton keeps wicket
TimesLive reported on 15 October that Matthew Breetzke earned a Test call-up and Tristan Stubbs was axed from the squad. Seventeen players were named for the second Test at Gqeberha, according to NewsBytes and CricTracker. Ryan Rickelton takes over as wicketkeeper from Kyle Verreynne. Marques Ackerman, with 5,986 first-class runs in 85 matches at an average of 48.66, was in line to open the batting on debut, and he did so on 18 October. Herschelle Gibbs called for major shake-ups to the lineup.
Moving a keeper up the order or to the gloves changes the balance of the side, and a debutant opener takes the new ball in the hardest conditions. A change like this signals that selectors think the top order is the problem rather than the bowling.
Fantasy and tipping players should note that Rickelton is both keeping and batting, and that Breetzke's role depends on the order. Check the final eleven before locking in a pick.
Supporters of the changes, including selectors cited by TimesLive, say Ackerman's first-class record earns him a chance and the keeper change gives the side a better balance.
Critics, including Gibbs, want deeper changes than a single call-up, arguing that the batting problems run through the order and not only at the top.
Confirmed: Breetzke in, Stubbs out, Rickelton keeping and Ackerman on debut. Not confirmed: whether Breetzke plays in the eleven. Watch Ackerman's technique against the new ball on day two.
DailyDrop Australia edition No. 15 · Morning · MON., OCT. 19, 2026