Aiden Markram (captain)

Markram will captain his country at a T20 World Cup for the first time. (He led South Africa to the U19 ICC World Cup title in 2014.) The right-hander has brought his aggressive batting style and part-time spin to the shortest format of the game. In January, Markram steered the Sunrisers Eastern Cape to consecutive SA20 titles. However, Markram has only managed one fifty in the Indian Premier League and has struggled for game time for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Keshav Maharaj

While primarily known for his prowess in the longer formats, Maharaj has smartly adapted his game as a white-ball spinner. Maharaj quickly established himself as a key player with his ability to take wickets and control the flow of runs. In January, Maharaj also led the Durban Super Giants to the SA20 final, taking 15 wickets in his 13 games. More recently, he made his Indian Premier League debut this season for the Rajasthan Royals.

Ottniel Baartman

Baartman was rewarded a national T20 World Cup call-up for his stellar domestic form as he contributed to the Sunrisers Eastern Cape's success in the SA20. Baartman finished as the second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 18 wickets in eight games. The Dolphins’ medium pacer also took some handy scalps for the Durban franchise which finished as runner-up in the CSA T20 Challenge. Baartman made his T20I debut against West Indies in the build-up to the global showpiece.

Gerald Coetzee

Coetzee has quickly made a name for himself since bursting onto the scene in the national side last year. Coetzee, known for his trademark headband that has earned him the moniker of the Karate Kid, impressed in his Cricket World Cup debut in the 50-over showpiece in India last year, ending as the fourth-highest wicket-taker at the tournament with 20 scalps. The fast bowler was then sidelined after suffering a pelvic injury and missed the entire SA20, but he returned to competitive action for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, ending with 13 wickets in 10 games.

Quinton de Kock

Despite retiring from the longer formats of the game, De Kock remains one of the Proteas' biggest weapons at the top order. De Kock's T20 commitments this season included the Big Bash League, SA20 and the IPL. However, his form with the bat this summer has been subpar as he struggled for consistency with the Durban Super Giants in the SA20 and, more recently, for the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL. De Kock will be the first name on the team sheet thanks to his skill behind the stumps, while he will look to form a dominating opening stand with Reeza Hendricks.

Bjorn Fortuin

Recognised largely for his economical bowling and ability to take crucial wickets, Fortuin has also shown capabilities with the bat, which makes him a useful all-rounder in the T20 format. Fortuin finished as the highest wicket-taker in the Lions' 4-Day Series triumph, with 35 wickets in 16 innings. The orthodox left-arm spinner had a quiet SA20, only taking six wickets in 11 games for the Paarl Royals. Last month, Fortuin led the Lions to the CSA T20 Challenge title, ending as the fourth-highest wicket-taker with 18 wickets in 16 games.

Reeza Hendricks

Hendricks' inclusion in the T20 World Cup is a no-brainer. Part of the title-winning Lions in the CSA T20 Challenge, he finished as the third-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 440 runs in 15 games. Hendricks, who seemed to get the short end of the stick in previous World Cup selections, will look to continue his form with the bat. The 34-year-old remains a talismanic presence in the South African T20 setup and will add experience and firepower at the top.

Marco Jansen

The only genuine all-rounder in the Proteas' World Cup squad is Jansen. In addition to his fast bowling, Jansen is a capable batsman, often contributing valuable runs in the lower order. The lanky 24-year-old had a sparkling SA20 for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape, finishing as the leading wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 10 games. However, Jansen has since been starved of competitive action in India with only three matches played for the star-studded Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

Heinrich Klaasen

All eyes (and expectations) will be on Klaasen as the aggressive middle-order batter continues to make his mark in T20 leagues across the globe. In the SA20, Klaasen scored four half-centuries, ending second on the leading run-scorers list with 447 runs in 13 games at a mind-blowing strike-rate of 207.90. The 32-year-old continued his explosive form in the IPL, taking the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the playoffs. Klaasen also offers an alternative to regular wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock.

David Miller

Renowned for his explosive batting, Miller has been a staple in the Proteas middle-order. The 34-year-old is South Africa's most experienced T20 player and participates in his fifth T20 World Cup this year. Miller is a sought-after player in T20 leagues around the world, earning the nickname 'Killer Miller'. Coming off a slight niggle he sustained in the IPL, he will hope to clock in for ‘Miller Time’ for South Africa.

Anrich Nortje

Nortje was one of the major talking points ahead of the Proteas' T20 World Cup squad announcement after a disappointing IPL. The Proteas fast bowler returned from a long-term back injury in March and struggled to get going for the Delhi Capitals in a record-breaking run fest of an IPL season this year. The 30-year-old claimed seven wickets in six matches with a concerning economy rate of 13.36.

Kagiso Rabada

Rabada has become a mainstay in all formats for the Proteas and the seasoned fast bowler competes in his fourth T20 World Cup in June. However, Rabada has struggled to hit his straps after a long summer, including the SA20 and the IPL. He only took 11 wickets in as many games for the Punjab Kings, returning home from the IPL prematurely due to a lower limb soft tissue infection, but he will hope to be fit and ready to perform under pressure in the green and gold.

Ryan Rickelton

After a glittering summer with the bat, Rickelton has earned his World Cup debut. The 27-year-old ended as the leading run-scorer in the SA20 for bottom-of-the-log MI Cape Town and then finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the Lions' triumphant CSA T20 Challenge title win. While he has yet to establish himself in the national set-up, Rickelton's ability to contribute significant runs at the top of the order, along with his sharp wicketkeeping skills, has made him a valuable addition.

Tabraiz Shamsi

There's no denying Shamsi will give his all during the T20 World Cup. Known for his unique celebration styles and charismatic personality on the field, Shamsi remains the Proteas' highest wicket-taker in T20 cricket and is ranked seventh in the ICC rankings. The 34-year-old spinner had a solid summer, taking 10 wickets in the SA20 for the Paarl Royals and 12 wickets in the T20 Challenge for the Titans.

Tristan Stubbs

Stubbs has risen to prominence as the top finisher in the IPL, solidifying his role in the middle order with the Delhi Capitals. At 23, he has distinguished himself as one of South Africa's most notable rising stars during the IPL, amassing three half-centuries and a total of 378 runs at an average of 54.00 across 13 innings. He concluded the tournament with an impressive strike rate of 190.90. Stubbs has shown that he is more than just a slogger, as he is also handy with the ball and gloves.