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Anrich Nortje Eyes T20 World Cup 2026 After Injury Comeback in SA20

Anrich Nortje has made a strong return to cricket in the SA20, taking a match-winning 4/13. The pacer has been sidelined for much of the past 18 months due to back injuries. Nortje, who is without a central contract by choice, has declared his full availability for South Africa. He is now focusing on a game-by-game approach with the hope of being selected for the ICC T20 World Cup in 2026.

Key Points: Anrich Nortje Targets T20 World Cup 2026 Selection

  • Return from injury in SA20
  • Four-wicket haul against Paarl Royals
  • Targeting T20 World Cup 2026
  • Limited play in last 18 months
2 min read

"Hopefully I get selected": Anrich Nortje on playing ICC T20 World Cup 2026

South Africa's Anrich Nortje hopes for T20 World Cup 2026 selection after a strong SA20 comeback from injury, taking 4/13 in his return.

"Hopefully I get selected but for now it's just to try and build, take it game by game and day by day. - Anrich Nortje"

Paarl, December 28

Right-arm pacer Anrich Nortje is hoping to get selected for South Africa's ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad and has described the last two months as the ideal build-up for his complete international comeback.

Anrich Nortje returned to the action in the SA20 tournament, playing for Sunrisers Eastern Cape, where he picked up a four-wicket haul (4/13) against Paarl Royals, who were bundled out for just 49 runs - the lowest score ever of the SA20 tournament.

Notably, this is the first time the veteran speedster has featured in the SA20 tournament since season one. Earlier, Nortje was sidelined due to back injuries in editions two and three.

Apart from this, the right-arm pacer has played just two matches for his country in the last 18 months. Nortje was out of action from October 2024 to April 2025 and from May to November this year while recovering from his injuries.

Nortje, who is not part of Cricket South Africa's central contract (by his own choice), said he is available to play for the country and hopes to be selected for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

"Hopefully I get selected but for now it's just to try and build, take it game by game and day by day," he said in Paarl, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

"I had a nice little build up starting with the CSA T20 challenge and then got the call up for the India series. I'd call it the ideal build up. From here on it's just to try and execute and work on one or two things. It's also so busy, so it's just to try and keep momentum going, keep a clear head and keep focus. I'd probably call it the ideal build up just from where I was a few months ago to now," Nortje added.

The 32-year-old last played a T20I match for South Africa at Dharamshala in December 2025. Overall, he has picked up 53 wickets in 44 T20Is at an average of 20.20 and an economy of 7.05. He has three four-wicket hauls in T20Is.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Priyanka N
As an Indian fan, I've always been impressed by Nortje. He bowls with serious heat. But at 32 and with his injury history, it's a big risk for South Africa. They might be better off investing in younger pacers for a tournament two years away.
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Aman W
His stats are decent – 53 wickets in 44 matches. But the key is fitness. The schedule is so packed now, bowlers like him need to be managed carefully. All the best to him for his comeback! 🤞
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Sarah B
Interesting that he's not on a central contract by choice. Gives him flexibility but also shows he's betting on himself. That 4-wicket haul against Paarl was a massive statement. Hope he gets a fair shot.
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Karthik V
Yaar, back injuries for a fast bowler are no joke. Just ask our own Bumrah what a struggle it can be. Respect to Nortje for fighting his way back. The "game by game" approach is the right one. Wishing him well from India!
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Nikhil C
He last played in Dharamshala in 2025? That feels like just yesterday! Time flies. His economy of 7.05 in T20Is is actually quite good in this high-scoring era. If he's fit, he walks into that Proteas side.

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