South Africa replaces two COVID-infected players in 2nd Test against Bangladesh; first time in international cricket

Sarel Erwee and Wiaan Mulder were replaced by Khaya Zondo and Glenton Stuurman

In a first instance of COVID-19 substitution in international cricket, South Africa's Sarel Erwee and Wiaan Mulder were replaced by Khaya Zondo and Glenton Stuurman in the playing eleven of the second Test against Bangladesh after testing positive for the virus on Monday.

Erwee and Mulder were tested on Monday morning, the fourth day of the Test, and returned positive results.

"Khaya Zondo will make his Test debut on Day 4 of the 2nd #BetwayTest against Bangladesh after Sarel Erwee and Wiaan Mulder tested positive for Covid-19," a Cricket South Africa tweet said. "The pair replaced with Zondo and Glenton Stuurman."

South Africa won the second Test by 332 runs on the fourth day itself to clinch the two-match series 2-0.

"This is an unfortunate situation, but not unexpected after the decision was made to have this tour under the Managed Event Environment (MEE) protocol, rather than the strict Bio-safe Environment (BSE) Protocol as was previously the case," CSA chief medical officer Dr Shuaib Manjra said.

"This is in line with the country's policy in revoking the Disaster Management Act with reference to the pandemic, as well the huge mental strain that a bubble environment induces."