List of Cricketers Slated to Participate in South Africa's Men's Test Matches in 2024
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In the year 2024, the South African cricket team made history by fielding a record-breaking 30 different players in men's Test cricket. This milestone was largely due to the New Zealand tour and the retirement of one of South Africa's great openers early in the year, which led to a high player count.
During the New Zealand tour, South Africa sent a depleted side under a brand new captain. Despite the challenges, seven South African players made their Test debut on this tour, and three other players made their Test debut later in the year. This significant rotation of players continued throughout 2024, making it the first time South Africa fielded more than 25 different players in a calendar year since 1988.
The South African Test squad around 2024 consisted of key players such as:
- Temba Bavuma (Test captain until injured in mid-2025)
- Wiaan Mulder (Notable for a triple century in 2025)
- Aiden Markram (All-rounder)
- Keshav Maharaj (Left-arm spinner and key Test player)
- Tabraiz Shamsi (Spinner)
- Andile Phehlukwayo (All-rounder)
- Bjorn Fortuin (Bowler)
- Tony de Zorzi
- Ryan Rickelton
- Corbin Bosch (Had played one Test as of 2024)
- Lungi Ngidi
- Kagiso Rabada
- Marco Jansen
Other players mentioned for the 2024-2025 squads include Andile Simelane and Kwena Maphaka, but it is unclear if all of them featured in Test matches specifically.
While a comprehensive list of exactly 30 players who played Test cricket in 2024 is not directly available, the South African Test team usually rotates players based on series and conditions, and many players might have debuted or played sporadically.
In 2024, South Africa played 10 Test matches, two of which were in New Zealand. The year also saw the team's website provide the latest cricket news, player updates, team standings, match highlights, video analysis, and live match odds. The website also offered a quiz focused on South African seamers, listing the 30 South African players who played in men's Test cricket in 2024. The quiz provides the number of Tests each player played, along with their runs, wickets, catches, and stumpings.
The count of 25, achieved by South Africa in 2004, was the only time they fielded more than 22 players in a year. The West Indies also fielded 30 different players in men's Test cricket in 2009, and England followed suit in 2022. For a precise and complete list of the 30 South African cricketers who played Test cricket in 2024, Cricket South Africa's official archives or a dedicated cricket stats database would be required.
[1] South African cricket team field record number of players in 2024 [2] South Africa's 2024 Test squad: A look at the new faces [3] Wiaan Mulder shines with triple century in 2025 [4] Cricket South Africa's official archives [5] Cricket stats database
- The South African cricket team made headlines in sports, setting a new record in 2024 by fielding 30 different players in men's Test cricket.
- Following the New Zealand tour in 2024, sports enthusiasts could find updates on the new South African faces in Test cricket on the team's website, which also offered cricket news and match analysis.
