Corbin Bosch earns maiden call-up to Proteas Test squad for crucial Pakistan series

The 30-year-old Bosch is a seam bowling all-rounder that has taken 72 wickets in 34 first-class while also boasting an average of more than 40 with the bat.

Joining Bosch in the squad is uncapped fast bowler Kwena Maphaka, who was part of the group for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha earlier this month.

The duo will join a fast bowling group that will be spearheaded by Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson, who picked his maiden five-wicket haul in the series victory over Sri Lanka.

The Proteas are missing a few fast bowlers due to injury with Gerald Coetzee joining the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger and Lizaad Williams on the sidelines.

Spinner Keshav Maharaj sustained an acute groin strain on Tuesday during warm-ups ahead of the first ODI against Pakistan in Paarl and will undergo a scan to determine the extent of the injury.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder has also been included squad as he completes the final phase of his recovery from a fractured right middle finger, which kept him out of the second Test against Sri Lanka.

Temba Bavuma will lead a largely unchanged batting group with the Proteas boasting nine centuries in the calendar year already.

The Proteas need one win from the two matches against Pakistan to guarantee a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final that will take at Lord's in June next year.

Proteas Test coach Shukri Conrad said: "We head into this series with a clear focus, with a spot in the World Test Championship Final being the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

"It's an exciting time for South African cricket and we're particularly looking forward to this battle against Pakistan.

"They always pose a strong threat with the talented fast bowlers they produce and I expect it to be no different this time around.

âœIn terms of our own squad, we have added Corbin to the mix. His all-round ability with both bat and ball adds depth and his pace brings an extra bite to our attack, so we're excited to see him make that step up to Test cricket.â

Conrad added: "Dane Paterson really impressed us against Sri Lanka and we look forward to seeing him again. Overall, the pace attack is a really good one. We are keeping a close eye on Kesh (Keshav Maharaj) and hope his injury is not too serious.

"A lot of the batters stood up when they were needed against Sri Lanka and this is another opportunity for all of them to showcase what they can do against a good Pakistan bowling attack."

Proteas Test squad: Temba Bavuma (capt), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne

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