Newly appointed interim national selection convener Haroon Lorgat on Tuesday announced the South African squad to play England in the first Castle Lager/MTN Test at Sahara Oval, St George’s in Port Elizabeth, from December 17 to 21.
Lorgat, who was appointed to the position of convener by the board of Cricket South Africa on Friday, also named the South African A side to play England in a three-day fixture at Sedgars Park in Potchefstroom this weekend.
Nicky Boje, who underwent minor surgery to remove a growth in his neck, will have to pass a fitness test before the match.
Herschelle Gibbs and Andre Nel were not considered for selection due to injury. Gibbs has a finger injury and although Nel has played a couple of Standard Bank Cup matches recently, he is not yet fit enough to play Test cricket.
Justin Ontong, who played in the second Test against India last week, has been left out of the squad. — Sapa
The squad:
Graeme Smith (captain) (Nashua WP/Boland)
Nicky Boje (vice-captain) (Goodyear Eagles)
Hashim Amla (Nashua Dolphins)
Zander de Bruyn (Nashua Titans)
AB de Villiers (Nashua Titans)
Boeta Dippenaar (Goodyear Eagles
Andrew Hall (Highveld Lions)
Jacques Kallis (Nashua WP/Boland)
Makhaya Ntini (Mercedes Warriors)
Shaun Pollock (Nashua Dolphins)
Jacques Rudolph (Nashua Titans)
Dale Steyn (Nashua Titans)
Thami Tsolekile (Nashua WP/Boland)
South African A team:
HD Ackerman (captain) (Highveld Lions)
Justin Ontong (vice-captain) (Highveld Lions)
Mark Boucher (Mercedes Warriors)
JP Duminy (Nashua WP/Boland)
Charl Langeveldt (Highveld Lions)
Ethy Mbhalati (Nashua Titans)
Albie Morkel (Nashua Titans)
Andrew Puttick (Nashua WP/Boland)
Alfonso Thomas (Nashua Titans)
Martin van Jaarsveld (Nashua Titans)
Charl Willoughby (Nashua WP/Boland)