South Africa have announced a provisional group for the three-match Test series against Australia, opening on October 9 in Durban. Star paceman Kagiso Rabada is named, though he is still nursing a hamstring strain picked up during off-season preparation. A three-day intra-squad fixture next week will decide whether he is ready for the opener. Coach Shukri Conrad promised patience, saying the team will avoid choosing out of panic.
Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka are also battling hamstring trouble and missed out. That opens the door for Anrich Nortje, who no longer holds a central contract with CSA. He could feature in a Test for the first time since March 2023. Conrad praised his meticulous habits but questioned whether a five-day game is the right way back. Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson complete a seven-strong pace department.
Among the batters, uncapped Marques Ackerman earns a call after piling up over 1000 runs for South Africa A. He will compete with Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder for a top-three berth. David Bedingham, fresh from twin centuries for Western Province, is another contender, and Conrad sees him as a possible number three. Dewald Brevis misses out, with the coach describing him as better suited to subcontinental surfaces than home conditions.
Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy provide the spin options. With all venues on the coast, two slow bowlers could play, although Conrad ruled out requesting doctored pitches.
The squad gathers in Durban on October 1. Australia’s first tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering saga guarantees plenty of edge. Conrad urged supporters to back the hosts loudly but respectfully, rejecting any abuse aimed at players’ partners, while accepting playful reminders of Australia’s past mistakes are fair game.
