Matthew Breetzke is back in South Africa’s Test squad. He replaces Tristan Stubbs for the second Test against Australia, which starts on October 18 at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, the city where he was born.
The change follows South Africa’s 214-run defeat in Durban, where Stubbs made 32 and 1. Ryan Rickelton takes the gloves from Kyle Verreynne, which leaves Breetzke and uncapped Marques Ackerman in line to play.
“Matt has been part of the squad before. The fact that his ODI form is as hot as it is gave him an inside lane, and more importantly, it’s the attitude and the character Matt brings and has.”
Shukri Conrad, Proteas squad announcement video, October 15, 2026
Australia saw that attitude up close last month. What happened at Kingsmead in the ODI was a shouting match. What waits in Gqeberha is quieter, and much harder for a batter with 14 Test runs to handle.
In the first ODI on September 24, Breetzke made 112 off 106 balls and was named Player of the Match. Late in his innings, a Josh Inglis throw hit him in the back and he ran a single with Marco Jansen. Nathan Ellis confronted both batters, and umpire Lubabalo Gcuma had to step in.
South Africa won by 67 runs, a result sealed by Jansen’s one-handed catch. Jansen later said the single was not what really started the friction. He pointed to Breetzke’s personality and compared his mannerisms to those of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
Matthew Breetzke, the star ODI batter who got under Australia’s skin last month, looks set to be one of at least two inclusions for the second #SAvAUS Test: https://t.co/QUn0bXSiuu https://t.co/1N7E43wLdr
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) October 16, 2026
“I can tell you, it’s going to be heated. It probably won’t be as heated as it was when Australia toured here (in 2018). But there’s definitely going to be some fire being delivered from both ends.”
Marco Jansen, interview with cricket.com.au, October 5, 2026
Insider Read
In an ODI, the fielding side has 50 overs and no time to spare, so a flashpoint gets met head on. In a Test, the side that gets dragged into an argument has already lost the battle. Expect Australia to give Breetzke nothing to push against: no words, tight fields, dry lines, and a bowler who takes his time walking back.
The mannerisms Jansen described only irritate when the bowler reacts to them. Take the reaction away and the pressure flips onto the batter, who now has to make his own runs against an attack where Pat Cummins dismissed Stubbs in both Durban innings. Breetzke’s fire was never the question. Whether he can stay patient when Australia make him wait is.
Breetzke’s Test Record: 2 Matches, 14 Runs
| Format | Record |
|---|---|
| Tests | 2 matches, 14 runs (Bangladesh 2024, Zimbabwe 2025) |
| ODIs | 822 runs in his first 14 innings, the most by any men’s player |
| ODIs vs Australia | Average of 63 from 5 matches |
| 1st ODI, Durban | 112 off 106 balls, Player of the Match |
Tony de Zorzi is still injured. If Rickelton drops down the order to keep wicket, one of Breetzke or Ackerman is set to open. South Africa need a win in Gqeberha to keep the three-match series alive.
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