Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi will all only play in the first two T20Is for the same reason. All of Bavuma, Rabada, Coetzee, Jansen and Ngidi will then play in a round of domestic first-class matches from December 14 to 17 to prepare for the Tests. "We agreed that the Test side is the priority," Shukri Conrad, South Africa's Test coach said at a press conference, which his white-ball counterpart Rob Walter agreed with. "We are prioritising readiness for the Test matches given its the start of the World Test Championship."

South Africa open their WTC campaign with the series against India and will then take a second-string side to New Zealand to play two Tests in February next year, when the majority of first-choice players will be involved at the SA20.

Anrich Nortje, who was ruled out of the World Cup with a lower back stress fracture, is unavailable across all formats. Nortje has not had surgery and is being monitored on a monthly basis. Cricket South Africa are hopeful he will be ready to play around February or March next year. He has been retained by his IPL franchise, the Delhi Capitals.

There is also no space for Ryan Rickelton in any of the squads despite being given a central contract earlier this year and playing in their last Test series. Conrad explained that he has fallen down the pecking order. "The guys that have come in - Stubbs and Bedingham - are ahead of him," Conrad said. "I don't think he challenges Kyle Verreynne as the wicket-keeper. At the time (that Rickelton played) there was no news on David's availability and desire to play for South Africa and since then Stubbo has also showed so much."

Overall, Conrad is confident he has selected a squad that "can beat India," while also looking ahead to the rest of the WTC, including away tours to New Zealand. West Indies and Bangladesh next year. "We might see a few changes for those tours as well. We will see the return of guys who, in those conditions, can help us win those series. It's where the global game is at. You've got to be quite flexible in your selections and ensure guys are nice and fresh when they are called up."

South Africa only have this three match series against India before they leave for the World Cup in the Caribbean and the USA next year - where they will play West Indies immediately before the tournament - but have cautioned against viewing this squad as an exact replica of the T20 World Cup playing group because of the amount of franchise T20 cricket still to be played.

"Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing out and there are guys - let me throw it out there just to create some media hype - like Faf (du Plessis) and Rilee (Rossouw) as well as Quinny that could well be considered for a T20 World Cup and then also the SA20 that happens next year - 80% of the side picks itself but there is definitely a space for other guys to get themselves into the conversation," Walter said. "The SA20 will be a very important competition as far as the World Cup goes. The household guys will most likely be there but it's an exciting time for the guys that sit on the fringes."

South Africa have stuck with a fairly experienced batting line-up including Markram, Klaasen, Rassie van der Dussen (who did not get a Test recall) and David Miller but will also look to give an opportunity to Tony de Zorzi. Dewald Brevis, who was the third highest run-scorer in the domestic one-day cup, has not been included. "The better the player that's getting left out, the better our system is," Walter said. "There isn't space for all of the young batters all the time. He will definitely play again."

South Africa's ODI outfit have no fixtures other than the matches against India this season, with the focus to move back to fifty-over cricket before the next World Cup. Having reached the final four, Walter assessed the tournament as a success for the team as they move towards a home World Cup in 2027. "The general sense after the tournament was really positive. It was disappointing to miss out (on the final) and it knocks you hard. But the guys were proud and I was proud of the way we played," he said.

The general sense after the tournament was really positive. It was disappointing to miss out. It knocks you hard. The guys were proud and I was proud of the way we played.

South Africa T20I squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee (1st and 2nd T20Is), Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen (1st and 2nd T20Is), Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi (1st and 2nd T20Is), Andile Phehlukwayo , Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams

South Africa ODI squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne, Lizaad Williams

South Africa Test squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Dean Elgar, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Keegan Petersen, Kagiso Rabada, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne