JOHANNESBURG: Fast bowler Anrich Nortje was on Monday named in South Africa’s 15-man squad for the Champions Trophy one-day international tournament in Pakistan next month.
Nortje, 31, has not played in a 50-over match since September 2023 when he suffered a stress fracture.
He came back to be South Africa’s most successful bowler in the T20 World Cup last June but has not played an international match since the final against India in Barbados.
He turned down a Cricket South Africa contract in order to play T20 franchise cricket.
Nortje had been due to play in white-ball matches against Pakistan last month but suffered a broken right toe while batting in the nets.
Coach Rob Walter said he was confident Nortje would be in peak physical condition for the Champions Trophy.
“He was at our camp in Pretoria bowling really quickly,” said Walter.
“He was super-fit and super-energised to be playing for South Africa again and it was just one of those unfortunate circumstances. Anrich is the ultimate professional, he looks after himself and takes care of his conditioning. I’ve got no doubt he’ll be good to go.”
Fellow fast bowler Lungi Ngidi will also return after recovering from the groin injury which kept him out of South Africa’s home international season.
Ten of the squad played in the Cricket World Cup in India in 2023, where Walter said the team had “played exceptional cricket” to reach the semifinals.
While South Africa’s quest for a major trophy continues, Walter said a core group of players would benefit from reaching the semifinals and final of their last two International Cricket Council events.
“They know what it feels like to be in the cauldron,” he said.
South Africa will play in a triangular tournament in Pakistan against the hosts and New Zealand ahead of the Champions Trophy but are likely to have to select some different players because of a clash with the closing stages of the SA20 franchise tournament.
South African squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen (wkt), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton (wkt), Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Rassie van der Dussen.
South African Group B fixtures:
February 21, Afghanistan in Karachi.
February 25, Australia in Rawalpindi.
March 1, England in Karachi.
Nortje back in South Africa squad for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
https://arab.news/6eupa
Nortje back in South Africa squad for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
- 31-year-old Anrich Nortje has not played in a 50-over match since September 2023 when he suffered a stress fracture
- South Africa will also play a triangular tournament in Pakistan against the hosts and New Zealand ahead of Champions Trophy
E1 World Championship opens 2026 season in Jeddah with expanded field, growing global profile
- Season’s opener features record 10 teams
JEDDAH: The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF will launch its new season in Jeddah, with the Red Sea city once again hosting the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, and champions Team Brady beginning their title defense against an expanded and competitive field.
Set against Jeddah’s Red Sea coastline, the season-opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026, which takes place over Jan. 23-24, will feature a record 10 teams racing the cutting-edge E1 RaceBirds, underlining the rapid growth of the championship and its ambitions as a global competition spanning four continents.
Team Brady are the outfit to beat, having claimed the Champions of the Water title in 2024 and 2025. However, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, with several teams strengthening their lineups ahead of the new campaign.
Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club join the championship for 2026, adding further depth to the grid with a mix of experienced and emerging pilots. Team Rafa, who finished just 11 points behind Team Brady last season after a title fight that went down to the final laps, are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders and will be aiming to make an early statement in Jeddah.
Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James also return to race on home waters, one year on from their E1 debut. Carrying local pride, the team will be looking to build on last season’s momentum in front of Saudi fans.
The world-class field is further strengthened by a roster of high-profile, celebrity-backed teams, including Will Smith’s Team Westbrook, DJ Steve Aoki’s Team Aoki, Team Drogba, led by football legend Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire, and Team Miami, featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Marc Anthony.
Fans will be able to get close to the action across qualifying and race day, with on-water viewing available from the E1 Fan Zone. The area will give visitors the chance to see the E1 RaceBirds up close and will feature a gaming arena with simulator and virtual reality experiences, as well as a VOX cinema screening of “Zootopia 2.” Merchandise outlets and a range of food and beverage options will also be available, creating a family-friendly race-day experience.
Beyond the racing, E1’s return to Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in shaping the future of electric sport and sustainable mobility. The championship serves as a living laboratory for electric propulsion systems, accelerating innovation that can influence marine transport while also supporting broader conversations around ocean protection.
As part of its partnership with E1, Formula E’s Driving Force Presented by PIF E360 is hosting its educational program in Jeddah this week. The initiative aims to inspire students aged 8 to 18 to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as sustainability, through the lens of electric racing.
The program reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025 alone, with a further 50,000 targeted this year, taking its reach to over 100,000 young people worldwide.
On the sporting side, PIF’s commitment to excellence will again be recognized through the PIF Pilot of the Day award, presented after finals day to honor standout skill and performance over the race weekend.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, said: “Starting our 2026 season in Jeddah is a powerful statement for E1. The region represents ambition, innovation and a clear vision for the future, and the Red Sea provides the perfect environment as our largest grid yet of 10 teams begin their battle to be crowned 2026 Champions of the Water.”
The Jeddah race is set to deliver high-intensity competition, renewed rivalries and an early glimpse into the future of high-performance racing on water.
