South Africa name uncapped batsman Theunis de Bruyn for Sri Lanka Tests

Uncapped batsman Theunis de Bruyn is named in a 13-man South African squad for the first two home Tests against Sri Lanka, starting on December 26.

The 24-year-old, picked as a back-up batsman, and all-rounder Wayne Parnell are the only members of the squad who did not play in the 2-1 series victory in Australia last month.

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Parnell has not played in a Test since 2013/14 and missed the Australian tour because of injury.

Faf du Plessis, who was confirmed as long-term captain on Monday, will lead South Africa for the first Test in Port Elizabeth, which starts on Boxing Day, and the second in Cape Town, which begins on January 2.

It will be the first series between the two countries in South Africa since 2011/12. South Africa have won eight of 10 previous home Tests against Sri Lanka, with one defeat and one draw.

Missing from the squad that toured Australia are fast bowlers Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel and batsman Rilee Rossouw due injury, while left-arm spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and two back-up players, all-rounder Dwaine Pretorius and wicketkeeper Dane Vilas, were not chosen.

AB de Villiers, who stepped down as Test captain in favour of Du Plessis, was also not considered as he has not fully recovered from an elbow injury.

Sri Lankan players arrived in South Africa on Sunday, and will play their only warm-up game before the Tests when they play in a three-day match against a South African Invitation XI in Potchefstroom from Sunday to Tuesday.

South African squad: Faf du Plessis (captain), Kyle Abbott, Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stephen Cook, Theunis de Bruyn, Quinton de Kock (wkt), JP Duminy, Dean Elgar, Keshav Maharaj, Wayne Parnell, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada