Almost all the senior members of South Africa's Test squad are rested for the T20I series against Pakistan in order to prepare for the home series against Australia in April.

The T20I squad of South Africa has been announced and the names of Quinton de Kock, Rassie van der Dussen, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Anrich Nortje are missing from the squad.

Heinrich Klaasen is going to lead the new looking South Africa T20I side with fast bowler Okuhle Cele, wicket-keeper batsman Ryan Rickleton and batsman Jacques Snyman included for the first time in the squad. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled sporting bodies to find innovative ways of ensuring tours and sporting events take place as planned or with as little disruption to revised plans as possible,” South Africa director of cricket Graeme Smith said in a media release on Tuesday.

“We are not exempt from that, and have had to do a bit of outside-of-the-box thinking to ensure that we are fully prepared for a home test tour against Australia while having an exciting T20 series to complete in Pakistan.”

Heinrich Klaasen (captain), Nandre Burger, Okuhle Cele, Junior Dala, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Janneman Malan, David Miller, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Ryan Rickleton, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, Jon-Jon Smuts, Pite van Biljon, Glenton Stuurman, Jacques Snyman.