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Who Is Codi Yusuf? South Africa’s Fast-Bowling All-Rounder Making His Test Debut Vs Zimbabwe

Jatin

Codi Yusuf made his debut in ZIM vs SA 1st Test [Source: @codi_yusuf/instagram.com]Codi Yusuf made his debut in ZIM vs SA 1st Test [Source: @codi_yusuf/instagram.com]

South Africa have walked into a brand-new era with a trophy in the cabinet and fresh faces in the playing XI. In their first outing since lifting the 2025 World Test Championship at Lord’s, a win that broke a 27-year-long ICC trophy drought, they have already shuffled the deck.

With Temba Bavuma nursing a hamstring niggle from the final, the Test baton has passed to Keshav Maharaj and the selectors have rolled the dice with three debutants.

Codi Yusuf Finally Got His Test Cap

Among them is Codi Yusuf, a name buzzing around domestic circles for a while now, and finally getting his moment under the sun.

Codi Yusuf is the old-school kind. Someone who has done the hard yards in South Africa’s domestic set-up: tough pitches, long spells and no short cuts. The 26-year-old fast-bowling all-rounder has been a steady presence in the Lions’ dressing room, playing a crucial role in their shared 4-Day Series Division 1 title with the Titans.

His numbers don’t just flatter. They fight. In the 2024-25 red-ball season, Yusuf bagged 23 wickets at an average of just 22.39, the joint-most for his side.

The Long Road To The Big Stage

Born on 10 April 1998, Codi Yusuf kicked off his professional journey in 2018 when he debuted for Mpumalanga in the Africa T20 Cup. A year later, he was donning Gauteng colours in all three formats. 

In fact, in the 2019–20 CSA Provincial One-Day Challenge, he was the joint-leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps in just 9 matches. That was the first real whisper that Yusuf was more than just a line-and-length merchant.

By 2021, he was a key part of Gauteng’s plans. And in April 2025, he packed his bags for England, signing up with Durham for a County Championship stint and the T20 Blast. That overseas exposure came at the right time as it sharpened the edges just before the Proteas selectors came calling.

Codi Yusuf Stats

Category
First-Class
List A
T20s
Matches332239
Wickets1053936
Bowling Average27.8118.7129.66
Economy3.384.928.31
Runs Scored60912297
Batting Average16.9115.2516.16

What Makes Codi Yusuf Tick?

Yusuf is no express tearaway but he hits that awkward length with consistency and offers just enough movement to keep batters second-guessing. He is especially dangerous with the older ball, using subtle variations and bounce off the deck. 

Add to that his handy lower-order batting and you have got yourself a proper Test package. The best part is that he doesn’t shy away from a scrap. He thrives on hard-earned wickets and isn’t afraid to bowl long spells under the sun.

With South Africa choosing to bat first in the opening Test of the two-match series, Yusuf received his first Test cap alongside fellow debutants Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-dre Pretorius. It is a big move from the Proteas but one that speaks volumes about their trust in youth and versatility.