Quinton de Kock returns to Proteas squad for T20 World Cup, leaving out Rickelton and Stubbs

Convenor Selector Patrick Moroney revealed that they opted to go with the experienced Quinton de Kock and David Miller instead of young guns Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs for the Proteas squad for the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India next month.

Many would have seen this coming, even Rickelton himself.

When De Kock announced his return to international cricket, it was only a matter of time for Rickelton to find himself behind in the pecking order.

De Kock coming back and showing form meant that Rickelton’s days in the national set up were numbered.

On Friday, Proteas Convenor Selector Moroney announced the Proteas squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup and revealed what many knew was coming, that De Kock had leapfrogged Rickelton.

“We’ve looked at the top order and we've looked at how we want to open our innings up and it was a big decision between Quinny de Kock and Ryan Rickelton and ultimately we've opted to go with Quinny de Kock in that opening berth along with Aidan Markram,” Moroney told the reporters on Friday.

“Then on the Stubbs one, in theory what we've really looked for there is to make sure that we have that attacking middle order where the left-handed David Miller slots in for us ideally into the middle order and then with Brevis and Ferreira complementing him on either side is our general plan and that's what we've opted for with Stubbs not included in this World Cup.”

Rickelton's exclusion comes despite smashing a century in tbe opening match of the SA20 at Newlands last week.

Moroney added that the SA20 had very little influence on selection.

“I think it's very early doors for the T20 comp and the reality of it is it's still fairly domestic so there are a lot of domestic players playing against each other so the players that I've mentioned and guys that's come up like Rickleton they are expected to perform well at this level without doubt,” Moroney said.

“I think the international set up is just that a little bit higher or quite significantly higher. So, it’s early doors in the SA20 and of course we're hoping that our players will also use this opportunity to get into a better nick and better form that will give us that advantage before we play the Windies and we depart for India”

Proteas fast bowler Anrich Nortje was gotten the nod ahead of Nandre Burger, while Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith and Kwena Maphaka were also named in the squad.

Nandre was part of the selection and there we've opted to go with Anrich Nortje instead of a player like Nandre,” said Moroney.

“He's on the recovery, everything indicates that he'll be fully fit but from a selection point of view we've gone with Anrich Nortje.”

South Africa Men’s Squad - ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026

Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch,Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, KagisoRabada and Jason Smith.