George Linde, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, has joined South Africa’s squad as a traveling reserve for the Champions Trophy, providing cover for Aiden Markram. Markram sustained a right hamstring injury while fielding against England and remained on the sidelines for the rest of the match. His availability for the semi-final against New Zealand will be determined after a fitness test on Tuesday evening.
Markram’s injury adds to South Africa’s growing list of sidelined players. South Africa ruled out Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Nandre Burger, and Lizaad Williams— all fast bowlers— before the tournament began.
Linde will join the South African camp on Tuesday evening but will officially enter the squad only if Markram misses out and the ICC’s event technical committee approves the change. His inclusion seems to be a tactical move, as South Africa may require an extra spinner if they reach the final in Dubai, where conditions are drier. Currently, they have two specialist spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi, though only Maharaj has played in Pakistan. India, in contrast, fielded four spinners in their recent match against New Zealand in Dubai.
Linde played a crucial role in MI Cape Town’s maiden SA20 title win in 2025. In 11 matches, he scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 153.33 and took 11 wickets at an economy of 6.29. More recently, he represented Western Province in the One-Day Challenge Division One, scoring 106 runs and taking four wickets in five games.
Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Kwena Maphaka is also traveling with the squad as a reserve. Temba Bavuma and Tony de Zorzi have recovered from illness and will train on Tuesday evening.
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