South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of action indefinitely after suffering a “stress reaction,” with the severity of the injury yet to be fully assessed. The 31-year-old speedster, who has battled a series of injuries throughout his career, was not included in South Africa’s T20I squad for the upcoming tri-series in Zimbabwe.
Head coach Shukri Conrad expressed concern over Nortje’s latest setback, acknowledging both the uncertainty of his recovery timeline and the emotional toll recurring injuries may take. “Naturally, we are worried. In Anrich’s case, this is the second or third stress reaction in his back,” Conrad said. “It is too early to make a diagnosis, and we are definitely not drawing a line through his name. He is a superstar fast bowler, and we will give him every chance to come back.”
Cricket South Africa (CSA) has confirmed that medical evaluations are ongoing and no definitive return date has been set. This injury is the latest in a series of fitness issues that have hampered Nortje’s career. Earlier this year, he missed the ICC Champions Trophy due to a toe injury and was also absent from South Africa’s victorious ICC World Test Championship campaign. His last international appearance came during the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
Despite being contracted to the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) for Major League Cricket, Nortje did not travel to the United States this season. He has featured in only two professional matches this year—both for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League.
Nortje has previously endured extended spells on the sidelines, with significant absences between 2013–2015, 2018–2019, and 2021–2022 due to back and hip issues. With this latest setback, questions remain over which formats he may be fit to play upon return.
As Nortje steps away from the field, South Africa is pressing ahead with preparations for the Zimbabwe tri-series in July, naming a new-look T20I squad led by Rassie van der Dussen. The team includes four uncapped players—Corbin Bosch, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Rubin Hermann, and Senuran Muthusamy—who earned their call-ups on the back of strong domestic performances.
Pretorius was the standout performer in the 2025 SA20 season, finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 397 runs at a strike rate of 166. Rubin Hermann impressed with 333 runs at an average of 41.43, while Bosch and Muthusamy bring versatility to the bowling unit.
The squad will gather in Pretoria on July 9 for a two-day training camp before departing for Harare on July 11. The tri-series, also featuring New Zealand, begins with South Africa facing hosts Zimbabwe on July 14.
South Africa Squad for Zimbabwe Tri-Series:
Rassie van der Dussen (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Andile Simelane.