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South Africa A Squad Announced for England Lions Tour: Paterson and Baartman Return

Tanay Hughes · · 5 min read

Strategic Depth: South Africa A Set for England Lions Challenge

South Africa has officially announced the squads for the South Africa A tour of England, a venture designed to sharpen the edges of the national pipeline and provide a critical testing ground for players on the periphery of the senior team. The tour, which kicks off on May 22, will see the Proteas’ second-string side face off against the England Lions in a series of demanding fixtures across the English landscape.

The squad is a calculated blend of experience and raw potential, led on the field by batter Marques Ackermann. The coaching staff is equally robust, with South Africa’s white-ball fielding coach Wandile Gwavu taking the helm. Adding further weight to the support system are former international stalwarts Justin Ontong and Rory Kleinveldt, who have been appointed as the batting and bowling coaches, respectively. Their combined experience in international cricket will be invaluable for a group of players looking to make a permanent mark on the national setup.

The Redemption Arc: Paterson and Baartman

One of the most compelling narratives of this tour is the inclusion of veteran seamer Dane Paterson. At 37 years old and without a national contract, many observers believed Paterson’s international aspirations had reached their sunset. His last Test appearance was during the Boxing Day match of 2024, where he played a pivotal role in qualifying South Africa for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. Despite being part of the squad at Lord’s, he didn’t feature in the final XI and was subsequently omitted from tours to Pakistan and India.

However, with a demanding eight-Test home summer on the horizon, the selectors have brought Paterson back into the fold. This tour represents a lifeline for the experienced pacer to prove his fitness and form in English conditions, which often mirror the swing and seam movements found in South Africa.

Similarly, Ottneil Baartman finds himself in a position to fight for his place. The 33-year-old’s omission from the T20 World Cup squad was a point of significant controversy, and this tour provides him with the perfect platform to push for a Test spot. Baartman’s ability to generate pace and bounce will be tested against the Lions’ batting order, and his performance here could dictate his future in the senior red-ball setup.

Injecting Youth: The Rise of Nqobani Mokoena

While the veterans fight for redemption, the tour also introduces fresh blood. 19-year-old “tearaway” Nqobani Mokoena is one of the most exciting inclusions. With three T20I caps already to his name, Mokoena is being fast-tracked to gain experience in both the four-day and one-day formats. His inclusion in both squads signals the selectors’ intent to groom the next generation of pace attack early.

Building Batting Resilience

The batting department is focused on creating depth. Tony de Zorzi, who missed the T20 World Cup due to injury, makes a timely return to both squads. His presence is vital for a middle order that is looking to solidify its options. Jason Smith, who had a limited role in the T20 World Cup with only one appearance, will also be looking to make a statement.

The squad also features the Hermann brothers, Jordan and Rubin, alongside Sinethemba Qeshile and Lesego Senokwane. While the senior Test batting line-up is currently settled, the inclusion of these players highlights the management’s desire to ensure that the transition to the national side is seamless when vacancies arise.

White-Ball Specialization and IPL Influence

The transition from red-ball to white-ball cricket will see the squad evolve. The one-day side will feature Kwena Maphaka and Gerald Coetzee, adding significant firepower to the bowling attack. In the batting department, the one-day squad boasts two names currently making waves in the IPL: Lhuan-dre Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen.

Pretorius is already a seasoned hand across all formats for South Africa, while Esterhuizen arrives with high momentum after a stellar T20I debut in New Zealand, where he finished as the leading run-scorer. Their current exposure to high-pressure IPL cricket is expected to bring a modern, aggressive edge to the SA A limited-overs approach.

Tour Logistics and Venues

The red-ball leg of the tour will take place at Arundel—a familiar setting where the team previously prepared for the WTC final—and Beckenham. Following the four-day matches, the team will shift focus to the white-ball series, with matches scheduled in Leicester and Worcester.

Complete Squad Lists

South Africa A Four-Day Squad

  • Marques Ackerman (Captain)
  • Ottneil Baartman
  • Tony de Zorzi
  • Bjorn Fortuin
  • Zubayr Hamza
  • Jordan Hermann
  • Rubin Hermann
  • Nqobani Mokoena
  • Dane Paterson
  • Sinethemba Qeshile
  • Lesego Senokwane
  • Jason Smith
  • Prenelan Subrayen
  • Tiaan van Vuuren
  • Codi Yusuf

South Africa A One-Day Squad

  • Marques Ackerman (Captain)
  • Ottneil Baartman
  • Gerald Coetzee
  • Tony de Zorzi
  • Connor Esterhuizen
  • Dian Forrester
  • Bjorn Fortuin
  • Rubin Hermann
  • Kwena Maphaka
  • Nqobani Mokoena
  • Nqaba Peter
  • Lhuan-dré Pretorius
  • Sinethemba Qeshile
  • Jason Smith
  • Prenelan Subrayen
Tanay Hughes

Tanay Hughes is a senior cricket correspondent for the Daily FT, Sri Lanka’s leading financial daily. Of Burgher descent, Hughes grew up steeped in the island’s rich literary and cricketing traditions. He covers the national team, the World Test Championship, and the domestic circuit with a special focus on spin bowling and the transformation of cricket infrastructure after the civil war. His work also explores the business side of the sport, including broadcasting deals and the financial pressures on smaller Test-playing nations. A Colombo native and University of Colombo graduate, Hughes is a regular voice on Sri Lankan television panels and contributes to The Cricketer and Wisden online.