Proteas name six uncapped players for England Tests

South Africa have named six uncapped players in their 17-man squad for the first two Tests of the four-match series against England as new coach Mark Boucher seeks to revive the fortunes of the ailing side.

Having lost stalwarts Hashim Amla and Dale Steyn to retirement, and with injuries ruling out fast bowler Lungi Ngidi and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, Boucher faces a rebuilding job for a side who have lost their last five Tests.

Batsmen Pieter Malan and Rassie van der Dussen, fast bowlers Dane Paterson and Beuran Hendricks, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and wicket-keeper Rudi Second will all hope to make their debuts in the first Test starting in Pretoria on Dec. 26.

Two notable absences from the squad that suffered three heavy losses in India in October are batsman Theunis de Bruyn and fast bowler Anrich Nortje.

The first Test match takes place at SuperSport Park, Centurion, from December 26 to 30 and the second at Newlands from January 3 to 7. pic.twitter.com/X2s2HS4w9N

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) December 16, 2019

The squad will be captained by Faf du Plessis, and contains experienced players in Dean Elgar, Quinton de Kock, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.

South Africa suffered a surprise 2-0 loss to Sri Lanka in their previous home series in February, and were well beaten in India, losing two matches by an innings.

Former keeper Boucher, a veteran of 147 Tests, will led the side for the first time in Pretoria, while it will also be the first series under CSA’s new director of cricket, Graeme Smith, the most successful captain in Test history.