A 17-man squad has been named for the first half of the Proteas’ four-Test series against England. These five players were arguably unfortunate not to be included.

Reeza Hendricks

• The selectors went with Pieter Malan, but they could just have easily opted for the Lions right-hander. He didn’t crack the nod for the World Cup squad – and now he can’t land a gig in the Test outfit.

Kyle Verreynne

• Verreynne is the name on many pundits’ lips at the moment – and recently received glowing praise from Faf du Plessis. But the Proteas have reverted to Rudi Second for the foreseeable future. It’s a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ for Verreynne, though.

Also see: Six uncapped players in Proteas Test squad

Lutho Sipamla

• The young pace ace would have been a good fit in the absence of the injured Lungi Ngidi – if not in the XI then at least the squad. But Dane Paterson is the current reserve seamer of choice. Sipamla’s time will come eventually.

Theunis de Bruyn

• De Bruyn has played a dozen Tests and averages under 20. Perhaps his absence is the most difficult to justify, but one more series would have been appropriate for the 27-year-old to justify his talent. He’s a victim of Graeme Smith’s judgement.

Wiaan Mulder

• Mulder is only 21 years old and, for now, must bide his time in the South Africa A squad. There was a period when he was the next Test all-rounder off the rank, but that status has since gone to Dwaine Pretorius.

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