Durban: South Africa will begin the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead on Friday without their star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, naming two specialist spinners in the playing eleven as the World Test Championship finalists renew their rivalry in a three-format season opener.
The first Test, starting Friday and running to October 13, gets underway at 9:30 am local time, which is 1 pm IST. It is the first meeting between the sides in whites since South Africa's five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June 2025.
Rabada ruled out, Nortje returns
Rabada, South Africa's lead strike bowler, will sit out the series opener as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. He trained with the squad at Kingsmead on Thursday and was in contention for selection, but the team management decided to give him more time.
"It wasn't an easy decision. We went the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100% fitness," captain Temba Bavuma told a press conference. Rabada is expected to be in contention for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on October 18.
South Africa's confirmed eleven is Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje.
The selection is notable on two counts: left-arm spinner Maharaj and off-spinner Harmer form a dual spin attack on a Kingsmead surface expected to turn as the match wears on, and Nortje returns for his first Test since 2023. Bavuma described Nortje, who regularly bowls at 150 kph, as an "X-factor" player who had been very impressive in the nets.
Australia to decide at the toss
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the tourists would wait until Friday morning before finalising their team. Cummins described himself as "super-excited" about a series between what he called the "number one and two teams in the world", while admitting Australia needed "to get better at the grind" even as they had been good at playing the "big moments".
Australia are without all-rounder Cameron Green, who suffered an abdominal injury during the third ODI in Potchefstroom on September 30, and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who broke a finger in the first ODI at Kingsmead on September 24.
Sources:
Reuters: South Africa fast bowler Rabada to sit out first test against Australia
Cricbuzz: South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Preview
SuperSport: Rabada out but 'X-Factor' Nortje in for South Africa
The first Test, starting Friday and running to October 13, gets underway at 9:30 am local time, which is 1 pm IST. It is the first meeting between the sides in whites since South Africa's five-wicket victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June 2025.
Rabada ruled out, Nortje returns
Rabada, South Africa's lead strike bowler, will sit out the series opener as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. He trained with the squad at Kingsmead on Thursday and was in contention for selection, but the team management decided to give him more time.
"It wasn't an easy decision. We went the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100% fitness," captain Temba Bavuma told a press conference. Rabada is expected to be in contention for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on October 18.
South Africa's confirmed eleven is Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje.
The selection is notable on two counts: left-arm spinner Maharaj and off-spinner Harmer form a dual spin attack on a Kingsmead surface expected to turn as the match wears on, and Nortje returns for his first Test since 2023. Bavuma described Nortje, who regularly bowls at 150 kph, as an "X-factor" player who had been very impressive in the nets.
Australia to decide at the toss
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the tourists would wait until Friday morning before finalising their team. Cummins described himself as "super-excited" about a series between what he called the "number one and two teams in the world", while admitting Australia needed "to get better at the grind" even as they had been good at playing the "big moments".
Australia are without all-rounder Cameron Green, who suffered an abdominal injury during the third ODI in Potchefstroom on September 30, and wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis, who broke a finger in the first ODI at Kingsmead on September 24.
Sources:
Reuters: South Africa fast bowler Rabada to sit out first test against Australia
Cricbuzz: South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Preview
SuperSport: Rabada out but 'X-Factor' Nortje in for South Africa