Middle-order batter Jason Smith, who was part of South Africa's squad at the 2026 T20 World Cup, has been ruled out of the season-opening T20I series in Namibia after suffering an adductor muscle strain. Smith, who has played 11 T20Is and three ODIs for South Africa, was among the more experienced players in an otherwise experimental group and will be assessed to determine his availability for the ODIs, which start on September 9. South Africa have opted not to name a replacement for Smith. The other batters in the squad include Tony de Zorzi, Dewald Brevis, Lhuan-dre Pretorius, Connor Esterhuizen and the Hermann brothers - Jordan and Rubin. Smith is the third injury reported among South African players in the last few days, after Kagiso Rabada's winter training was interrupted with a hamstring injury and Senuran Muthusamy was unable to play for South Africa A against Bangladesh A because of a lower back spasm. Rabada and Muthusamy were not scheduled to play in Namibia; South Africa had their biggest names reserved for a busy home summer with eight Tests. South Africa's squad departs for Windhoek on Tuesday and will play the first match in the tri-series against the hosts on Friday. The other team competing in the event is Zimbabwe. South Africa squad for Namibia T20I tri-series Bjorn Fortuin (c), Eathan Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Connor Esterhuizen, Jordan Hermann, Rubin Hermann, Duan Jansen, Kwena Maphaka, Nqobani Mokoena, Nqaba Peter, Lhuan-dré Pretorius, Lutho Sipamla, Jason Smith, Prenelan Subrayen