Maharaj, Mulder make South Africa's Test squad for Pakistan despite injuries

South Africa have named uncapped all-rounder Corbin Bosch in a 16-man squad for the two-Test series against Pakistan, with injured Wiaan Mulder and spinner Keshav Maharaj also selected for the series starting December 26 in Pretoria.

Mulder, who missed South Africa’s second Test win over Sri Lanka earlier this month due to a fractured middle finger, has been a key figure in the team's push for a spot in the ICC World Test Championship final.

South Africa, currently topping the standings, need to win one of the two Tests against Pakistan to secure a place in the final at Lord’s in June next year. The second Test will be played in Cape Town from January 3.

South Africa's head coach, Shukri Conrad, has called up an expanded squad, with 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka also making the cut for his first senior call-up. Bosch, 30, will add depth to the squad with his all-round skills and pace, giving the South African attack an extra dimension.

Conrad expressed his excitement about Bosch’s potential, saying: “We have added Corbin to the mix. His all-round ability with both bat and ball adds depth, and his pace brings an extra bite to our attack, so we’re excited to see him make that step up to Test cricket.”

Bosch, the son of former South African seamer Tertius Bosch, who played in South Africa's first Test against the West Indies in 1992, will be hoping to make his mark in the series. Tertius Bosch tragically passed away in 2000 due to Guillain-Barré syndrome at the age of 33.

Despite an acute groin strain that forced him to withdraw from the first one-day international against Pakistan, spinner Keshav Maharaj has been selected for the squad.

Conrad remains hopeful about Maharaj’s recovery, stating, “We are keeping a close eye on Kesh (Maharaj) and hope his injury is not too serious.”

Senuran Muthusamy is the only other specialist spinner in the squad for the first Test at Centurion Park, which is expected to favour the seamers.

The South Africa squad for the Pakistan series includes:

Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.