The eight South African players who are part of the World Test Championship (WTC) finals squad will return home on May 27 and, as a result, miss the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans), Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants), Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings), Tristan Stubbs (Delhi Capitals), Lungi Ngidi (Royal Challengers Bengaluru), Wiaan Mulder (Sunrisers Hyderabad), Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch (both Mumbai Indians) will leave to UK with the rest of the South Africa WTC squad on May 30 to prepare for a warmup game against Zimbabwe from June 03 at Arundel.

It is understood that Cricket South Africa (CSA) has concluded negotiations with the IPL about the release players accounting on WTC finals which is set to be played on June 11 at Lord’s against Australia.

All other South African players who are not part of WTC finals will remains at the IPL until its conclusion. With Wiaan Mulder’s SRH has been knocked out of the tournament, the side will not be bothered on losing the player.

Meanwhile LSG, GT, MI, DC, RCB and PBKS are alive in the playoffs race. On the other hand Mumbai Indians, could massively suffer due to absence of Ryan Rickelton and Corbin Bosch who have made an impact for the side in the ongoing season.

Meanwhile Punjab Kings will also feel Marco Jansen’s absence, while Tristan Stubb’s unavailability could bother Delhi Capitals’ batting unit.

Speaking at the press conference while unveiling the South Africa squad, head coach Shukri Conrad said that if the players return by May 26, they would have ample time to travel to the UK on May 30.

“The initial agreement with IPL-BCCI was, with the final being on the 25th, our players would return on the 26th, so that it allows them ample time before we fly out on the 30th,” Conrad said.

“But one thing we’ve made it clear, and we are finalising that with IPL and BCCI, is sticking to our original plan when it comes to the WTC preparations. Obviously, with May 26 being the latest for the Test guys to come back.“

South Africa Squad for WTC finals 2025: Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne (WC), David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson