By
SABC Sport
15th August 2025
The 22-year-old fast bowler first impressed for his county side Hampshire and then for Manchester Originals in the Hundred.
Baker was already in the national selectors' plans after joining the England Lions earlier this year, which led to the paceman being awarded an England development contract.
The Proteas will arrive in the UK next month to play three ODIs and three T20Is, which will conclude England's home season.
England men's selector, Luke Wright, said: "Sonny is a player we have identified for a while and he was impressive during the England Lions tours last winter.
"He has carried that form into this season in white-ball cricket with Hampshire and Manchester Originals and deservedly gets his opportunity."
After the white-ball matches against South Africa, England will then head to Ireland for a three-match T20I series with Jacob Bethell set to captain the side in place of the rested Harry Brook.
Still only 21, Bethell will become England's youngest men's international captain, beating the mark held by Monty Bowden, who was 23 and 144 days when he led England against South Africa in Cape Town on the Test tour of 1888-89.
Brook along with four other all-format players - Jofra Archer, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith - will sit out the matches against Ireland as part of workload management.
Marcus Trescothick will also take over the head coach reins from Brendon McCullum for the games in Malahide.
England ODI squad to face South Africa: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jamie Smith
England T20I squad to face South Africa: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Brydon Carse, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Jamie Smith, Luke Wood
England T20I squad to face Ireland: Jacob Bethell (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Sonny Baker, Tom Banton, Jos Buttler, Liam Dawson, Tom Hartley, Will Jacks, Saqib Mahmood, Jamie Overton, Matthew Potts, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Luke Wood