Quinton de Kock is back. The 32-year-old wicketkeeper has reversed his retirement from one-day internationals (ODIs) and will return to the national team for the upcoming white ball series against Pakistan.

De Kock had stepped away from the 50-over format following the 2023 World Cup in India, and hasn’t played for the Proteas in any format since the final of the T20 World Cup in June 2024. While he never officially retired from T20s, his absence from recent squads and the lack of a central contract left his international future looking uncertain.

Now, just months out from the 2026 T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka and with South Africa co-hosting the next ODI World Cup in 2027, De Kock’s return could not be better timed. His comeback is also a win for international cricket, which continues to wrestle with the pull of franchise leagues around the world.

South Africa recently lost big-hitting batter Heinrich Klaasen to international retirement. De Kock stepping back in helps fill that gap, and his experience will be vital for a squad looking to build momentum.

So far in 2025, De Kock has only featured in the T20 circuit from the SA20 in January to stints in the IPL, MLC, and CPL. But form has never been an issue for the left-hander when it comes to white ball cricket. Since his ODI debut in 2013, only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have scored more centuries in the format than his 21. He was also South Africa’s top run scorer at last year’s T20 World Cup.

South Africa’s tour of Pakistan begins on October 12 and includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20s. With Temba Bavuma sidelined due to injury, Aiden Markram will captain the Test side in their first red-ball outing since lifting the World Test Championship.

After the tour, South Africa will play a one-off T20 against Namibia, where Donovan Ferreira will take over captaincy duties.

For now, though, all eyes are back on de Kock and the hope that his return sparks something big for a Proteas side with plenty to prove.