Archive · 7 Sep 2026
South Africa Replaces Injured Players for Namibia ODI Series
South Africa is preparing to play Namibia in three one-day cricket matches.
Two players, Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Andile Simelane, cannot play because they are injured.
Matthew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch were chosen to replace them.
Pretorius hurt a muscle near his hip, while Simelane strained a muscle in his abdomen.
South Africa recently beat Zimbabwe by 48 runs in a T20I final.
Jason Smith has recovered from his own injury and can be considered for the Namibia matches.
The team is also trying different player combinations.
These matches are part of preparation for the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
Matthew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch have joined South Africa’s squad for the three-match ODI series against Namibia.
Lhuan-dré Pretorius was ruled out with a right adductor muscle injury, while Andile Simelane sustained a left abdominal muscle strain.
The injuries occurred around South Africa’s 48-run T20I tri-series final victory over Zimbabwe on Sunday.
Jason Smith has recovered from an adductor strain and is available for selection in the ODI series.
The replacements will help South Africa assess combinations ahead of the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup, co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
- Who
- South Africa’s cricket squad, including replacements Matthew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch, and injured players Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Andile Simelane.
- What
- South Africa replaced two injured players in its squad for a three-match ODI series against Namibia.
- When
- The series starts on Wednesday; the replacements were announced on Monday.
- Where
- The series will be played in Namibia; the recent tri-series final was held at the Namibia Cricket Ground.
- Why
- Pretorius and Simelane were ruled out because of muscle injuries, while South Africa is also assessing combinations ahead of the 2027 Men’s ODI World Cup.
- Series
- Three-match ODI series between South Africa and Namibia
- Start date
- Wednesday
- Replacements
- Matthew Breetzke and Corbin Bosch
- Unavailable players
- Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Andile Simelane
- Pretorius injury
- Right adductor muscle injury
- Simelane injury
- Left abdominal muscle strain
- Recent result
- South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 48 runs in the T20I tri-series final