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South Africa named their squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Namibia and Zimbabwe with Bjorn Fortuin named as skipper. With different teams for different formats and with a heavy rotation policy to manage player load, the Proteas have been led by a huge number of different players in the last year. Let’s take a quick look at all the different players who have skippered the Proteas since the start of 2025.
Temba Bavuma (Tests & ODIs)
The primary anchor of the Proteas leadership group, Temba Bavuma, has remained the default long-form and 50-over leader when fit. But fitness has been a consistent issue. Navigating various away tours and key ICC World Test Championship cycles, Bavuma provides the tactical stability Cricket South Africa relies on amidst a wave of experimental rest periods for key multi-format superstars. A sensational leader, Bavuma has yet to taste defeat as a Test captain.
Aiden Markram (T20Is & Tests)
Serving as South Africa’s regular T20I skipper, Aiden Markram led the team through major global campaigns and bilateral series in the shortest format. He also stepped up as the stand-in captain in Test cricket whenever Bavuma was sidelined with injuries, maintaining continuity in intent and aggression across both the red and white-ball teams.
Wiaan Mulder (Tests)
One of the most jaw-dropping captaincy cameos came in July 2025 during the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Handed the reins for the first time in his 21st match, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder played a legendary captain’s knock, smashing an unbeaten 367 runs off 334 balls as he registered the fifth-highest individual Test score in cricket history. In a supreme display of team-first leadership, Mulder declared at lunch on day two just 33 runs short of Brian Lara’s all-time world record of 400 to hunt for a victory.
Keshav Maharaj (Tests, ODIs, & T20Is)
South Africa’s premier spin general Keshav Maharaj has been the ultimate fallback captain across all three formats. Known for his calm demeanour and astute understanding of field placements, Maharaj skippered crucial matches in 2025, ensuring the Proteas never missed a beat when Markram or Bavuma were rested.
Matthew Breetzke (ODIs)
As heavy player management became the norm, top-order batter Matthew Breetzke earned the honour of becoming South Africa’s 20th ODI captain. Breetzke, who enjoyed a historic start to his standard 50-over career with a record-setting string of consecutive half-centuries, proved that Cricket South Africa’s grooming process for young leadership is working flawlessly.
Rassie van der Dussen (ODIs & T20Is)
The experienced middle-order batsman Rassie van der Dussen was drafted into the hot seat during transitional white-ball assignments. His cool head and meticulous planning allowed senior selectors to safely rest first-choice players without sacrificing the competitive edge expected from a Proteas side.
David Miller (ODIs & T20Is)
The legendary finisher “Killer Miller” lent his massive wealth of international experience to the captaincy ledger during highly specific rest windows. David Miller has skippered standard international squads and provided crucial field guidance to young bowling line-ups navigating high-pressure death overs.
Donovan Ferreira (T20Is)
Illustrating just how deep the rotation structure goes, explosive utility player Donovan Ferreira was officially added to South Africa’s elite captaincy ranks as the 17th T20I captain in the nation’s history. Ferreira took charge during rapid-fire bilateral T20I matches to let core regulars recuperate.
Bjorn Fortuin (T20Is & ODIs)
The newest man on the list is left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin, who has officially been named the 18th T20I and 21st ODI captain for South Africa. He leads a hungry, youth-heavy 15-player contingent heading to Windhoek for a multi-format tour against Namibia and Zimbabwe. Known as a proven champion at the domestic level with the Lions, Fortuin’s appointment highlights a dynamic era where leadership opportunities are shared widely to protect the game’s brightest assets.
The post South Africa’s 9 captains in last 2 years – unheralded spinner is surprising latest pick appeared first on Cricket365.
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