South Africa Introduces New Talent for White-Ball Matches Against Afghanistan and Ireland 

Jason Smith, Amdiel Simelane and Nqaba Peter have earned their maiden ODI call-ups to the South Africa squad for the forthcoming series against Afghanistan and Ireland in the UAE. South Africa is slated to play three ODIs against Afghanistan beginning on September 18 in Sharjah. The men in green will then play two T20Is and three ODIs against Ireland in Abu Dhabi starting September 27. 

Leg spinner Peter and all-rounder Jason made their T20I debuts against West Indies earlier this year. The former has made two T20I appearances in which he has picked up three wickets while Jason scored only six runs in the only T20I he played in.  

However, this is a maiden call-up to the international squad for Simelane. The up-and-coming all-rounder has been widely regarded as a promising talent and was a part of the recently concluded SA Emerging Tour to Zimbabwe. He had also represented SA-A for a one-day series against SL-A. 

Meanwhile, pace bowler Lungi Ngidi has recovered from a right calf injury he picked during the Caribbean tour and has been named in all three squads. He was not part of the three-match T20I series against West Indies in August. 

The Head coach of SA, Rob Walter said that these tours would allow the young and fringe players to get some exposure to international cricket and that this injection of youth is to expand the players pool in preparation for the upcoming marquee event at home i.e. ODI World Series in 2027. 

"We have decided to give opportunities to some of the fringe players as well as those who have impressed in recent weeks and months. This has been a deliberate move from the management, in line with our goal of building a wider pool of players to choose from, as we prepare for the major tournaments taking place over the next 18 months, with a long-term view on the ODI World Series in 2027.

"There is no doubt that tours such as these offer us this unique opportunity to provide players with international exposure in differing conditions compared to what they are used to."

South Africa will travel to the UAE on September 14. 

South Africa ODI squad against Afghanistan: Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.

South Africa T20I squad against Ireland: Aiden Markram (C), Ottneil Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Patrick Kruger, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams.

South Africa ODI squad against Ireland: Temba Bavuma (C), Ottneil Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Nqaba Peter, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.