'He's number 1' - Dale Steyn puzzled by Baartman’s absence from South Africa’s T20 World Cup Squad

Dale Steyn has raised question marks over Cricket South Africa's decision to leave Ottneil Baartman out of their squad for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Steyn was puzzled by the selectors' decision to exclude Baartman, who is the leading wicket-taker in South Africa's premier T20 competition, SA20.

Baartman has claimed 52 wickets in the SA20 at an average of 15.15 and an economy rate of 8.20. He had also claimed a four-wicket haul (4/24) in South Africa's 51-run win over India in the 2nd T20I in New Chandigarh on December 11. However, the selectors have still left him out.

"We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA’s best white ball bowlers," Steyn posted on X. 

"He’s the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He’s number 1. Thats TOP quality, but he’ll be sitting home for this years 20/20 WC."

We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA’s best white ball bowlers.

He’s the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He’s number…

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 5, 2026

Baartman continues to impress in ongoing SA20

Baartman has got off to a flying start in the ongoing SA20 and is leading the wickets column. The right-arm speedster has snared 11 scalps in four matches for Paarl Royals at an economy rate of 9.20.

He has taken 22 wickets in 17 T20Is for the Proteas at an average of 8.21 runs per over and was part of South Africa's squad in the previous iteration of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, held in the USA and the Caribbean.

Meanwhile, South Africa's World Cup squad boasts six pace bowling options, including Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje.

South Africa squad for the T20 World Cup

Aiden Markram (capt), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Quinton de Kock (wk), Tony de Zorzi, Donovan Ferreira, Marco Jansen, George Linde, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Smith