Stubbs Dropped as South Africa Name 17-Man Squad for Second Australia Test

South Africa have reacted to their first-Test defeat in Durban with a harsh selection call, dropping Tristan Stubbs from the squad for the second Test against Australia and recalling Matthew Breetzke in his place. Cricket South Africa confirmed the 17-man squad on October 15 for the second Test, which begins on Sunday at Dafabet St George's Park in Gqeberha. Stubbs paid the price for scores of 32 and 1 at Kingsmead, where Pat Cummins dismissed him on day three. Despite a 94-run knock against India in Guwahati in his previous outing, his overall Test average sits just above 30 from 15 matches. The Breetzke selection is a surprise. The ODI specialist has played only two Tests — a duck on debut against Bangladesh and scores of 13 and 1 against Zimbabwe — but his blistering one-day form, including a century against Australia in the Durban ODI, earned him a recall. Head coach Shukri Conrad pointed to his character and current form as the deciding factors. Breetzke averages over 37 with 10 centuries in 64 first-class matches. Elsewhere, Ryan Rickelton will take the gloves from Kyle Verreynne, who may warm the bench after not passing fifty in 13 Test innings. Lead seamer Kagiso Rabada returns to the squad after sitting out the first Test as a precaution over his long-standing hamstring trouble and is expected to be fit to play. Tony de Zorzi was not considered as he continues hamstring rehabilitation.