LONDON: England has announced its 15-player squad for the upcoming three-game Test tour of South Africa, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27. The team, currently ranked sixth in the Championship standings, will face the second-ranked South African side in a series that promises to be a challenging contest.

According to International Cricket Council, Jacob Bethell, who has been absent from competitive cricket since July 2026 due to a knee injury, returns to the squad, replacing Shoaib Bashir. The team will be led by Joe Root and includes key players such as Jofra Archer and Ollie Robinson. Liam Patterson-White, the leading spinner in the County Championship last season, earns his debut call-up, replacing Bashir. Dan Lawrence, who recently returned to the Test setup against Pakistan, adds depth to the batting lineup.

The pace attack will be strengthened by the inclusion of Archer, Gus Atkinson, Robinson, Sam Cook, and Sonny Baker. England will embark on the South Africa tour following their limited-overs series in Australia. Marcus North, England Men's National Selector, expressed confidence in the squad's balance and readiness to face the reigning ICC Test World Champions, South Africa. The series will commence with the first Test in Johannesburg on December 17, followed by matches in Centurion and Cape Town.