Wiaan Mulder: The more responsibilities I give him, the better he reacts - Proteas coach Shukri Conrad

Proteas left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj has been ruled out of the second Test against Zimbabwe due to a left groin strain.

The captain for the two-Test series sustained the injury while batting on day three of the first Test on Monday. He will return home for further assessment to determine the extent of the injury.

All-rounder Senuran Muthusamy has been named as his replacement. At the same time, fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who was set to join the squad on Wednesday, has been released to give the seamers who impressed in the first Test another opportunity to build on their performances.

All-rounder Wiaan Mulder will lead the side in the second Test, which begins on Saturday, 06 July.

Proteas coach Shukri Conrad believes Mulder has all the qualities to lead and that he will thrive with the added responsibility.

"He's on top of his game at the minute. He captained in his youth days at South Africa Under-19. He's shown some really good leadership qualities, and I think this is part of his journey where he's starting to take more responsibility in the side, and we've seen him do a lot of that in the series thus far," Conrad told the media on Wednesday.

"I think it will be great for Wiaan to grow into becoming a leader in this group. He's got all the attributes, and I think the more responsibilities I give him, the better Wiaan reacts. I think we'll see increased and improved performances as well. He thrives in responsibility as well.

"We've got guys like Kyle Verreynne who captains Western Province as well, so there are a few candidates in that regard. But I just felt that it would be an opportune time to ride the confident mood that Wiaan's in.

"This might go a long way to freeing him up in a lot of ways. I'd like to think that he gets the feeling that we really back him, and if he hasn't had that feeling before, this will be a real confirmation of that."

While Mulder has been in good touch, opening batter Tony de Zorzi is currently in a lean patch, having returned zero and 31 in South Africa's 328-run victory over Zimbabwe in the first Test in Bulawayo.

Conrad believes that De Zorzi would be disappointed with his returns, having been given another opportunity at the top of the order in the absence of main openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram.

"Tony would be slightly disappointed that in the second innings he didn't really make it count. He's desperate for a few runs, and that's part of the journey," said Conrad.

"That's part of the journey, especially as an opening batter. It's never easy, and there was a little bit of spice in that wicket, so he had his work cut out there. It's part of the journey, as I say, when a player struggles for runs and how they get back from that."

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