# South Africa drop Stubbs, Breetzke called up for Gqeberha Test vs Australia

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/south-africa-drop-stubbs-breetzke-called-up-for-gqeberha-test-vs-australia)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 15 Oct 2026
Updated: 15 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 15 Oct 2026

> Ryan Rickelton will keep wicket as South Africa chase the series after a 214-run loss in Durban. Cameron Green is a doubt for Australia. Start time in Pakistan.

**South Africa have dropped Tristan Stubbs and called up Matthew Breetzke for the second Test against Australia, which starts on Sunday 18 October at St George's Park, Gqeberha.** Ryan Rickelton takes the wicketkeeping gloves, and Australia are waiting on Cameron Green's fitness. Play is listed to start at 10am local time, which is 1pm PKT, by one schedule site.

## South Africa's changes

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, Temba Bavuma's first defeat as Test captain, according to a Crictoday report. South Africa have responded with one batting change in a 17-player squad: Breetzke in, Stubbs out. TimesLIVE reported that Stubbs, who is from Gqeberha, made 32 and 1 in Durban.

Rickelton replaces Kyle Verreynne as keeper, though Verreynne stays in the squad. Coach Shukri Conrad said the team still has to decide whether Rickelton moves down the order or continues to open while keeping. TimesLIVE described the match as a must-win for South Africa.

Breetzke, 27, has played two Tests, against Bangladesh in 2024 and Zimbabwe in 2025. He scored a century in the first ODI of the recent series against Australia and averages almost 59 in ODIs. Conrad said his white-ball form and attitude earned the call.

Kagiso Rabada is named in the squad. Tony de Zorzi, who has a left hamstring injury, is not.

**South Africa squad:** Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.

## Cameron Green in doubt for Australia

Green missed the Durban Test with an abdominal strain and has yet to prove his fitness. Australia coach Andrew McDonald said he had not started batting and had "a few things to go through in the next three to four days", TimesLIVE reported. Selectors are also open-minded about the batting order, depending on the Gqeberha pitch. Josh Inglis, recovering from a broken finger, is further along than Green.

## Dates and start time in Pakistan

| Test | Dates | Venue | Start (PKT) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 2nd Test | 18 to 22 October | St George's Park, Gqeberha | 1pm |
| 3rd Test | 27 to 31 October | Newlands, Cape Town | 1:30pm |

Spike Today lists the 2nd Test at 10:00 local time, 1pm in Pakistan. South Africa is three hours behind Pakistan. We have not seen the start time on an official source, so check before match day. The series also overlaps the Pakistan ODI tri-series in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan play Sri Lanka at 1pm PKT on 18 October, so fans will have two matches to follow ([tri-series schedule](/news/cricket/pakistan-tri-series-schedule-results)).

## Frequently asked questions

**When does the second Test between South Africa and Australia start?**

On Sunday 18 October at St George's Park, Gqeberha, running to 22 October. A schedule site lists a 10am local start, which is 1pm PKT.

**Why was Tristan Stubbs dropped?**

South Africa made one change after losing the first Test by 214 runs. Stubbs scored 32 and 1 in Durban and Matthew Breetzke replaces him.

**Is Cameron Green playing the second Test?**

Not confirmed. He missed Durban with an abdominal strain and coach Andrew McDonald said he still has a few things to go through over the next three to four days.

## Sources

- Breetzke earns Test call up, Stubbs axed (TimesLIVE): https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/cricket/2026-10-15-breetzke-earns-test-call-up-stubbs-axed/
- SA vs AUS: Matthew Breetzke replaces Tristan Stubbs for second Test in Gqeberha (Crictoday): https://crictoday.com/news/sa-vs-aus-matthew-breetzke-replaces-tristan-stubbs-for-second-test-in-gqeberha-12679249
- Australia open-minded about batting order, Green still to prove fitness for second Test (TimesLIVE): https://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/cricket/2026-10-15-australia-open-minded-about-batting-order-green-still-to-prove-fitness-for-second-test/
- South Africa make key change to squad (squad announcement) (Outlook India): https://www.outlookindia.com/sports/cricket/matthew-breetzke-tristan-stubbs-south-africa-squad-announcement-vs-australia-test-series-2026
- Australia v South Africa Tests: Times and Where to Watch (Spike Today): https://spiketoday.com/australia-vs-south-africa-test-series-start-times-and-where-to-watch/

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