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Dale Steyn slams South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad for leaving out 1 player

Rajgeeta Yadav

Dale Steyn slams South African cricket board [Source: AFP]Dale Steyn slams South African cricket board [Source: AFP]

South African great Dale Steyn has openly questioned the decision to leave fast bowler Ottniel Baartman out of the Proteas squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be played in India and Sri Lanka. 

Steyn, one of the finest fast bowlers South Africa has produced, worked closely with Baartman during the first three seasons of the SA20 league at Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Through this experience, he believes Baartman deserves to be seen as one of the country’s top white-ball bowlers. 

Steyn pointed out that Baartman has been the highest wicket-taker in the SA20, has won the league twice, and has also played in another final.

Dale Steyn backs Ottniel Baartman

Steyn shared his strong views on social media, stating that Baartman’s numbers place him at the very top. 

"We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA’s best white ball bowlers. He’s the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He’s number 1. 

Thats TOP quality, but he’ll be sitting home for this years 20/20 WC. 🙈," he wrote on X.

South Africa great speaks in favor of Simon Harmer

Alongside his comments on Baartman, Steyn has also spoken in favor of spinner Simon Harmer. Harmer has been in outstanding form in recent times and even broke Steyn’s long-standing record during South Africa’s Test series in India in 2025. 

The former star pacer believes players performing well under pressure and on big stages should always be in strong contention for major tournaments.

Proteas opt for heavy pace-attack

For the T20 World Cup 2026, South Africa have chosen a pace-focused bowling unit. The squad includes Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Khwena Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje. 

Even with this heavy pace attack, Baartman did not find a place, which has raised several questions. Not long ago, he was part of the 2024 T20 World Cup squad that reached the final against India in Barbados.

Since that final, Baartman has featured in only 11 of South Africa’s 29 T20 matches. Still, his international record remains solid. He has played 17 T20Is, taken 22 wickets, maintained a respectable economy rate, and delivered two four-wicket performances.

At present, Baartman is playing for Paarl Royals in the SA20 League 2025–26 and is once again leading the wicket charts. In just four matches, he has already scalped 11 wickets.

South Africa look strong ahead of T20 World Cup

Meanwhile, South Africa enter the T20 World Cup 2026 with high hopes. After reaching their first-ever final in 2024 and suffering a narrow seven-run loss to India, the team is eager to go one step further. The tournament will run from February 7 to March 8, with matches held across major venues in India and Sri Lanka. 

Notably, South Africa will begin their campaign against Canada in Ahmedabad and will compete in Group D alongside New Zealand, Afghanistan, UAE, and Canada.