Steyn Slams Baartman T20 WC Snub

Dale Steyn has ignited debate by questioning Ottneil Baartman's exclusion from South Africa's T20 World Cup squad, calling him "one of SA's best white-ball bowlers." Despite leapfrogging Marco Jansen to top the SA20 wicket-takers list, the 31-year-old pacer finds himself sidelined for the 2026 edition. This snub comes after Baartman's breakout 2024 World Cup campaign, where South Africa fell to India in the final. Fans and experts alike are stunned, as his domestic dominance raises serious selection questions ahead of the global showdown.

Baartman's rise has been meteoric. In SA20 2025, he claimed the most wickets, building on his 18 scalps at an economy of 6.95 from the previous season that propelled Sunrisers Eastern Cape to glory. Across formats, his List A record boasts 109 wickets at 27.16, while first-class stats show 61 at 23.11 and 4.76 economy. Since his 2024 World Cup inclusion as an uncapped star, he's played just 11 of 29 Proteas T20Is, yet his death-over yorkers remain unmatched. Steyn's endorsement underscores a career peaking at the wrong time for selectors.

Baartman's Stats Demand Inclusion

Baartman's exclusion defies logic when dissecting his numbers. He took 4-10 in SA20's Qualifier, second only to Jansen's 20 wickets that season. Coach Rob Walter once praised him as "a cut above the rest" for death bowling, vital in T20s. Compare to Anrich Nortje's injury-plagued returns or Kagiso Rabada's workload management—Baartman's 11.77 strike rate in SA20 trumps many squad members. Historically, uncapped gems like Tabraiz Shamsi earned spots via domestic form; Baartman's snub echoes overlooked talents like Lungi Ngidi pre-debut.

Selection Storm Hits Proteas

This controversy exposes South Africa's selection dilemmas amid quota pressures and form vs familiarity debates. With Aiden Markram leading a squad heavy on 2024 finalists like Quinton de Kock and Heinrich Klaasen, Baartman's omission risks pace depth in spin-friendly World Cup venues. It mirrors past rows, like excluding Rassie van der Dussen, potentially weakening death overs where Baartman excels. Critics argue it prioritizes experience over current impact, threatening Proteas' title aspirations.

"Over the last couple of years, he’s been outstanding. In particular, in the SA20, he was a cut above the rest." - Rob Walter on Baartman

Road Ahead for Snubbed Star

Baartman could force a rethink via SA20 playoffs or bilateral T20Is. Watch if injuries sideline Gerald Coetzee or Nortje, opening doors. For fans, this saga highlights domestic leagues' growing influence on World Cup picks—will selectors pivot, or stick to the script? South Africa's campaign hinges on bold calls.