The 32-year-old has been included in both the Proteas’ T20 International and ODI squads, a surprise announcement made by coach Shukri Conrad on Monday. De Kock, widely regarded as one of the best white-ball cricketers in the world, last played international cricket in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup final, when the Proteas went down by seven runs to India in Bridgetown on 29 June.

Coach Conrad told OFM Sport that he is delighted to have the X-Factor player back in the mix after such a lengthy absence. 

He believes De Kock will be an invaluable role model to the younger players in the squad, just as senior players were for him when he made his international debut at the age of 20.

Quinton de Kock. Photo: Cricinfo

“Yeah, I think it’s a great question – and these are some of the questions I asked myself, and the people I trust, when Quinny made himself available,” Conrad said.

“I mean, Quinny has always been an enigma, and he still is. He debuted very young, so he went through a lot of what guys like Dewald Brevis and Lhuan-Dré Pretorius are experiencing now.

“I think he’ll be a great sounding board for them. He’s one of the easiest guys to get along with – very matter-of-fact, and he just wants to give his best for South Africa.

“He knows his way around the international game. He’s toured Pakistan before, which is never an easy place to go. He’ll be a great sounding board for the youngsters, and also for our new ODI captain, Matthew Breetzke. Quinny adds so much from behind the stumps too.

“Just all round, he brings a huge amount to the side – not only on the field, but in the changeroom as well. I’m thrilled to have him back, and I think he’ll be excellent for the young players coming through right now.”

The Proteas’ tour of Pakistan gets underway on 12 October with the first Test in Lahore. The T20 International series will begin on 28 October in Rawalpindi.

Shukri Conrad. Photo: Cricinfo

Proteas Test squad against Pakistan:

Aiden Markram (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj (2nd Test only), Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Prenelan Subrayen, and Kyle Verreynne.

Proteas T20I squad against Pakistan:

David Miller (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandré Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, and Lizaad Williams

Proteas ODI squad against Pakistan:

Matthew Breetzke (captain), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Nandré Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Bjorn Fortuin, George Linde, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, and Sinethemba Qeshile

Proteas T20I squad against Namibia:

Donovan Ferreira (captain), Nandré Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Bjorn Fortuin, Reeza Hendricks, Rubin Hermann, Kwena Maphaka, Rivaldo Moonsamy, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Andile Simelane, Jason Smith, and Lizaad Williams

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs