Kwena Maphaka In Line For Test Debut As Proteas Test Their Depth

While the Proteas are missing several key seam bowlers due to injuries, assistant coach Piet Botha is keen to test the squad's depth when they face Sri Lanka in the second of two Tests in Gqeberha, starting Thursday.

Already without Lungi Ngidi and Nandre Burger, who were unavailable for selection, the South African team also lost all-rounder Wiaan Mulder broken finger and fast bowler Gerald Coetzee groin muscle strain following their 233-run victory in the first Test against Sri Lanka in Durban last week.

Its obviously very sad for the guys who are missing out, but injuries are part of the game, so we generally prepare for these things, said Botha, the squads bowling coach. We will delve into our depth, and I think weve got suitable replacements.

Though Mulder was replaced by batter Matthew Breetzke in the squad ahead of the second Test, Coetzee's spot was filled by uncapped 18-year-old Kwena Maphaka, who could make his Test debut. However, it remains unclear whether Maphaka will play ahead of fellow seamer Dane Paterson or if an additional spin bowler, Senuran Muthusamy, might be a better fit.

With various options at their disposal, Botha said the final decision on the bowling attack would be made after assessing the conditions in Gqeberha. However, he was confident that the team would field a bowling unit capable of taking 20 wickets.

In terms of our bowling depth, we do have a couple of injuries, but it gives opportunities to certain individuals, and it gives us a bigger picture of what weve got, he added.

The Proteas are aiming to win this week's match, as well as their next two against Pakistan, to secure a spot in next years World Test Championship final. While Botha acknowledged the importance of the World Test Championship race, he emphasized that the team's focus remains on taking it one session at a time.

Its always good to have that kind of goal in the back of your mind, but our philosophy and method are to take things session by session, he said. Thats how we stay focused - by playing the game in the present moment, doing the small things right, maintaining our discipline, and respecting the game every time we go out on the field.