Durbans Super Giants

After a triumphant World Test Championship (WTC) 2023–2025 campaign, South Africa begin their title defence on foreign soil with a multi-format tour of Pakistan. The action kicks off on October 12 at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium, featuring two Tests, three T20Is, and three ODIs.

With regular skipper Temba Bavuma sidelined due to a calf strain, South African talisman Aiden Markram will take over leadership duties. Fresh from his heroic innings in the WTC Final, the right-hander carries both form and confidence into the subcontinent, where spin, reverse swing, and challenging conditions await.

The Proteas’ last trip to Pakistan in 2020/21 ended in a disappointing 2-0 defeat — something Markram’s side will be keen to rectify this time around.

A balanced Test squad

South Africa’s 15-man Test unit features an intriguing blend of experience and fresh faces. Markram will be joined by Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi and Kyle Verreynne, while Tristan Stubbs looks set for a Test debut. The batting group will need to adapt quickly to Pakistan’s low, turning surfaces.

In the bowling department, South Africa boasts a potent mix of pace and spin. Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch headline the seam attack, while Simon Harmer, Senuran Muthusamy and Prenelan Subrayen add much-needed spin variety, which will be essential in Asian conditions.

Despite not having played together since the WTC final, several squad members have been active in county cricket and domestic fixtures. Their final preparations included a two-day training camp in Pretoria, where they focused on countering spin and variable bounce.

“If it’s your home game, you can prepare whatever wicket you’d like,” Markram said before departure. “For us, it’s about backing our players, no matter the conditions. We’ll take the challenge head-on.”

The second Test will be played in Rawalpindi starting October 20, followed by white-ball action in late October and November.

White-ball focus: Miller and Breetzke take charge

Following the Tests, South Africa will switch gears for the shorter formats. The T20I series runs from October 28 to November 01 across Lahore and Rawalpindi, followed by a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 04 to 08.

The return of Quinton de Kock injects both experience and explosiveness into the white-ball squads. With the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on the horizon, de Kock will look to solidify his place and guide younger teammates through this subcontinental challenge.

David Miller takes over as T20I captain, succeeding Rassie van der Dussen, and will lead a dynamic squad featuring Reeza Hendricks, Gerald Coetzee, Lungi Ngidi, George Linde and Kwena Maphaka. 

Before the Pakistan series, the T20I side will make a brief stop in Windhoek at the Wanderers Cricket Ground to face Namibia in a one-off T20I on October 11, with Donovan Ferreira captaining a youthful squad featuring Rubin Hermann and Rivaldo Moonsamy.

In the ODI setup, Matthew Breetzke will captain the side after his record-breaking run in Australia, where he became the first South African male cricketer to score fifties in his first four ODIs. The squad also features debutant Sinethemba Queshile and the versatile Bjorn Fortuin, signalling South Africa’s commitment to developing new talent.

South Africa vs Pakistan head-to-head record

Over the years, South Africa and Pakistan have shared an intense and competitive rivalry across formats. In the 30 Test matches played between the two sides, South Africa have won 17, while Pakistan have claimed six, with seven encounters ending in draws.

In the T20I arena, the battle has been perfectly balanced. Out of 24 matches, both teams have registered 12 wins each, reflecting how closely matched they are in the shortest format.

When it comes to One Day Internationals, the Proteas hold a dominant record. Out of 87 ODIs, South Africa have emerged victorious in 52 matches, with Pakistan winning 34 and just one game ending without a result. 

South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025 schedule and live match start times

All times are in India Standard Time (IST) 

Day and Date	Match	Venue	Time (SAST)
Sunday, October 12	1st Test	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	7:00 AM
Monday, October 20	2nd Test	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi	7:00 AM
Tuesday, October 28	1st T20I	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi	5:00 PM
Friday, October 31	2nd T20I	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	5:00 PM
Saturday, November 01	3rd T20I	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore	5:00 PM
Tuesday, November 04	1st ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad	12:00 PM
Thursday, November 06	2nd ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad	12:00 PM
Saturday, November 08	3rd ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad	12:00 PM

South Africa tour of Pakistan 2025 squads

South Africa’s Test squad: Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickleton (wicket-keeper), Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, Kyle Verreynne (wicket-keeper), Zubayr Hamza

South Africa’s T20I squad: David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Naqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Lizaad Williams

South Africa’s ODI squad: Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wicket-keeper), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Naqabayomzi Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Sinethemba Queshile, Lungi Ngidi

Image Courtesy: ESPNCricInfo