Shukri Conrad on Proteas Injury Blow: De Zorzi & Ferreira Out of T20 World Cup

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad explained how big a loss it is to the team that batters Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira, who were initially selected in the Proteas squad for the upcoming 2026 Men's ICC T20 World Cup, having been ruled out due to a hamstring tear and fractured clavicle, respectively. 

The Injuries

South Africa all-format coach Shukri Conrad addressed the media on Thursday, where SportsBoom.co.za was in attendance, announcing the replacements of the injured Tony de Zorzi and Donovan Ferreira. 

De Zorzi sustained a right hamstring tear during last month's One Day International series between South Africa and India, and missed the T20I series. 

Cricket South Africa was hopeful that the left-handed batter would make a full recovery for next week's three-match T20I series against West Indies hereat home. 

However, the 28-year-old has not progressed as expected and has been subsequently ruled out of the West Indies series and the upcoming T20 World Cup in India next month. 

On the other hand, lower-order batter Donovan Ferreira has also been ruled out of the West Indies series and the T20 World Cup, after he sustained a fracture of his left clavicle during the Betway SA20 encounter between the Joburg Super Kings and Pretoria Capitals at Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 January. 

The Big Loss & Replacements

Conrad named batters Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs as replacements for the two injured batters. 

Now, it is important to remember that Stubbs and Rickelton were the biggest omissions from the World Cup squad. 

However, Rickelton in particular has since responded with sparkling numbers in the SA20, having smashed 337 runs at an average of 42.12 in nine innings, including two centuries. 

On the other hand, Stubbs has accumulated 129 runs with a strike rate of 119.44, a set of rather unconvincing numbers. Conrad believes that Stubbs could make a return to form during the West Indies series and the T20 World Cup.  

Conrad told SportsBoom.co.za that De Zorzi and Rickelton are big losses to the team, and that he is happy to have players of the calibre of Rickelton and Stubbs at his disposal to name as replacements. 

"Any loss is a big loss. Obviously, we were very hopeful that Tony was going to be available for the West Indies Series. That wasn't to be the case," Conrad said. 

"And then, obviously, the dynamic Donovan having done a clavicle the other night was rather disappointing."

"But I think the really good thing is that we've got players of the calibre of Stubbo and Ryan, who step into the issues."

"So, look, always disappointing when you lose players to an original squad."

"But as I mentioned, the quality of players that we've got as replacements is rather satisfying and gratifying to know as a coach."

South Africa Men’s Squad - KFC T20 International Series against West Indies

Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Rubin Hermann, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs. 

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

Aiden Markram (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Jason Smith and Tristan Stubbs. 

KFC T20I Series against West Indies

1st T20I - Tuesday, 27 January at 18:00 SAST

South Africa vs West Indies - Boland Park, Paarl 

2nd T20I - Thursday, 29 January at 18:00 SAST

South Africa vs West Indies - SuperSport Park, Centurion 

3rd T20I - Saturday, 31 January at 18:00 SAST

South Africa vs West Indies - DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 - Group D Fixtures

Monday, 09 February at 15:30 SAST 

South Africa vs Canada - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

Wednesday, 11 February at 07:30 SAST

South Africa vs Afghanistan - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

Friday, 14 February at 15:30 SAST 

New Zealand vs South Africa - Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad 

Tuesday, 18 February at 07:30 SAST 

South Africa vs United Arab Emirates - Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi