Captain Temba Bavuma will skip South Africa’s first ODI against Pakistan in Paarl on Tuesday as he looks to manage his workload ahead of the Test leg versus the visitors.

South Africa, currently at the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) table, need one more win to assure themselves of a WTC final berth. For sure they would like to seal it in the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Centurion beginning on December 26.

Bavuma aside, Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Kagiso Rabada are all part of the Proteas’ ODI squad and set to be picked for the two Tests as well. Like the skipper, these players too are expected to be rested going forward in the ODI series, especially quicks Rabada and Jansen.

It’s a tricky phase as well for South Africa. The Test series against Pakistan is obviously their priority now. At the same time, they have to finalise their combination for next year’s Champions Trophy too, especially as they won’t be having a full-strength squad for the tri-series in Pakistan which precedes the tournament. Reason: Most of their regulars would be busy with the SA20 then.