South Africa has confirmed Lungi Ngidi will play his first Test in ten months and only his third under coach Shukri Conrad in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord’s. This decision sees Ngidi preferred over Dane Paterson, primarily for his extra pace and bounce, complementing an attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, and Keshav Maharaj.

Captain Temba Bavuma described the selection as one of the toughest decisions, acknowledging Paterson’s strong performance last season. However, he emphasized Ngidi’s additional pace, height (1.93m), and prior experience at Lord’s as key tactical advantages. On the Lord’s slope, bowler height is a significant asset, with Ngidi and Jansen (2.06m) providing this attribute. Mulder, at 1.85m, is the shortest quick, and his medium-pace style was deemed too similar to Paterson’s, prompting the preference for Ngidi to add variety.

Ngidi’s Return and Injury Concerns

Ngidi’s inclusion carries an element of risk due to his limited red-ball cricket recently. He has played only two Tests in the last 18 months, with his most recent first-class match being in August last year. While he bowled 12 overs at Lord’s in 2022, his performance (1 for 27) was modest. Ngidi has battled a series of injuries, including a groin concern that sidelined him from mid-November to January. Although he has played white-ball cricket, including five SA20 games and all of South Africa’s Champions Trophy matches, his ability to sustain long spells in Test conditions remains to be seen.

In contrast, Paterson is a proven workhorse, having bowled 68 overs across two Tests in the 2024-25 home summer, taking 13 wickets at an impressive average of 16.92. However, South Africa’s strategic aim to lengthen their batting line-up ultimately led to his omission. At 36, and not named in the squad for upcoming Tests against Zimbabwe, this decision marks the twilight of Paterson’s career. Ngidi (29) and Mulder (27) are seen as core players for the future.

Mulder Takes on No. 3 Role

Adding to the tactical changes, Wiaan Mulder has been entrusted with the crucial No. 3 batting position, a role he has occupied only twice before in his career, both for South Africa. His first attempt at No. 3 against Sri Lanka last year ended prematurely due to a broken finger. He returned to the position against Pakistan, scoring 5. While his most successful first-class batting position is No. 5 (averaging 39.20), South Africa has opted for him over Tristan Stubbs, who was initially considered for the spot and has now been moved down the order to play with more flair. Opener Tony de Zorzi was not considered for No. 3.

Bavuma expressed confidence in Mulder, emphasizing that the team is backing him. “It’s about giving him a lot more confidence, backing him, and allowing him to do what he does best,” Bavuma said. “He has an opportunity in a pressure situation. But I think he can take comfort from the fact that the guys are backing him.”

Former South African great Hashim Amla, recently inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, offered advice to Mulder, drawing from his own highly successful career at No. 3 (averaging 49.95 with 25 hundreds). Amla stressed the importance of being ready to handle the new ball early and possessing a solid technique, though he noted that South Africa’s current more attacking style might reduce the technical demands slightly. Amla, who himself wasn’t a natural No. 3, believes players can grow into the role over time, acknowledging the challenge of stepping into such a significant position in a final.

Bavuma himself, as South Africa’s leading Test run-scorer in the last five years, will bat at No. 4, a position that makes his performance crucial to the success of the younger players, Mulder and Stubbs, batting around him.