Temba Bavuma’s brave new brigade ready for India's trial by fire

Soumyajit Dutta

South Africa's Test squad [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]South Africa's Test squad [Source: @ProteasMenCSA/X.com]

The India challenge for South Africa is going to be tough, especially given the fact that they have never won a Test match in India since 2010. Hence, it has been 15 years since they recorded a win against India in away matches. 

With the Men in Blues being too harsh on the Proteas men, the challenge of 2025 looms even larger. Eight of South Africa's 15-member squad are coming to play in India for the very first time. 

While the fresh new blood speaks of confidence and vitality, the experience on Indian soil is something that the major chunk of this squad has never experienced before. 

From the current squad, only Zubayr Hamza and Senuran Muthuswamy visited India during South Africa's 2019 tour, with Simon Harmer visiting in 2015 to experience the tricky and turning pitch in the land of the God of Cricket.

Raw Proteas ready to make their mark on 'tough' Indian conditions

Kyle Verreynne, a mildly experienced Test veteran for South Africa, is one of the team’s best Test players and a vital asset with both the bat and the gloves. Verreynne has played only two List A games in India during a South Africa A tour in 2019. Since then, he has established himself as a key player for the Proteas and with limited experience in India, Verreynne will look to prove his worth on Indian soil.

Ryan Rickelton, a more seasoned batter, has faced Indian conditions only once before, during his maiden IPL stint in 2025 with the Mumbai Indians. While he impressed with his three 50s in 14 matches during IPL 2025, the red-ball game is a completely different challenge that Rickelton will need to adapt to on a pitch where he has never put his foot on.

Brevis, Stubbs in, but how ductile are they?

Dewald Brevis is a familiar name in India, having won the hearts of Chennai Super Kings fans after his quiet seasons with the Mumbai Indians earlier. However, this will also be Brevis’ first Test on Indian soil after his only a half-century on his Test debut.

Tristan Stubbs, another young talent set to perform against India, has endured a difficult year, frequently shuffled around the batting order at No. 3, 4 and 5. For the India series, he is likely to compete for a spot against Tony de Zorzi or Wiaan Mulder.

Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch are also new to Indian conditions in Test cricket. Jansen’s big-match temperament has improved following his success in the most recent IPL. He has played 50 matches in India but only one red-ball game, during the 2019 South Africa A tour, where he took two wickets for 59 runs. Notably, in the subcontinent, he has played just one Test, against Pakistan in Rawalpindi, where he went wicketless.

Corbin Bosch, an all-rounder capable with both bat and ball, enjoyed an impressive 2024 season, which included his debut across all formats for South Africa. Though likely to remain a backup option for this series, his growing credibility in Test cricket could still pose a challenge for India.

Inexperienced Zorzi, red-hot Mulder ready for Indian soil?

Tony de Zorzi is quite a popular name in red-ball cricket for South Africa. However, it is important to note that he has never played a match in any format in India. His excellent ability to play spin, though, makes him a strong contender for the starting XI in the first Test on November 14 at Eden Gardens.

Wiaan Mulder has been the jack of all trades for the Proteas, contributing with both bat and ball, batting anywhere from number 3 to 8, standing in as captain, and even having his historic 367-run partnership. Mulder offers everything a team could ask for, but his versatility could complicate his selection against India. 

Mulder was part of the South Africa A side that toured India in 2019, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer. However, that was his only assignment on Indian soil, and a return after six years will demand significant effort if India presents strong challenges.

Vets lead rebuild

Now, with veterans like Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Kagiso Rabada in the squad, South Africa aims to rebuild from the ground up. Fresh off their World Test Championship triumph in 2025, the Bavuma-led side will believe this is their best opportunity to beat India at home after more than a decade.