Sipamla out of Namibia tri-series; Simelane named as replacement

A left hamstring injury has ended Lutho Sipamla‘s participation in the Namibia T20I tri-series. The right-arm pacer sustained the injury during South Africa’s opening fixture on August 28, 2026, and has since been ruled out of the remainder of the tournament. Andile Simelane has been confirmed as his replacement in the squad.

Sipamla managed only nine deliveries in that first match against Namibia before being forced off the field. He was unable to complete his second over and took no further part in the game. The injury has now brought his involvement in the entire series to a close.

Simelane, a 10-cap T20I representative for South Africa, joins the squad ahead of the remaining fixtures. South Africa are scheduled to play at least two more T20Is in Namibia, with a third possible should they qualify for the tri-series final. The series runs through to September 6, 2026.

Who else has been ruled out of the tri-series?

Sipamla is not the only South African to have been withdrawn from the tournament. Jason Smith has also been ruled out after suffering a right adductor muscle strain, an injury to the groin area. Unlike the Sipamla situation, Cricket South Africa has not named a replacement for Smith, leaving the squad reduced ahead of the remaining matches.

The two withdrawals together represent a notable disruption to South Africa’s pace-bowling resources for this series, though the injuries are unrelated and occurred independently of each other.

What does Rabada’s injury mean for South Africa’s upcoming schedule?

Separate from the tri-series, South Africa are managing a further pace-bowling concern. Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the series against Australia owing to a right hamstring problem. His fitness for the Test series against Australia, which is scheduled to begin on October 9, 2026, will be assessed closer to that date. South Africa are also due to play three ODIs in Namibia once the T20I tri-series concludes.

South Africa full squad for the Namibia T20I tri-series

The original South Africa squad for the Namibia T20I tri-series:

Bjorn Fortuin (c), Eathan Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla and Prenelan Subrayen.

With Sipamla replaced by Simelane and Smith withdrawn without a replacement, the squad has been reshaped ahead of the remaining fixtures.

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