Bavuma backs second-string pace bowling attack to test Australia in ODI series

Marco Jansen will be the most experienced South African pacer in this series with 32 ODIs under his belt. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma backed the nation’s second-string bowling attack to test Australia ahead of the three-match one-day international series ‌starting in Durban on Thursday.

Hamstring injuries have ruled out Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman, while Nandre Burger has a bad back.

Lizaad Williams, the Jansen twins, Marco and Duan, Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena -- who all have a combined 72 ODIs between them -- will form an inexperienced seam bowling line-up.

“I ​think we’re going to ‌have to make the most of the bowling resources that we have from the seam department. There are options there. I think it’s just how smartly we approach ‌managing the loads of our fast bowlers,” Bavuma ​told reporters on Wednesday.

“We want teams, when they come here, to know that they’re going to ⁠have to deal with our fast bowlers. That’s part of our DNA.”

South Africa has only played three ODIs in 2026 ‌when a depleted squad swept Namibia 3-0 in a series this month, as preparations will get underway for the 2027 World Cup a year from now.

“It’s been a while since this ODI team has come together,” Bavuma ‌said. “I think there’s a strong desire to look after our ODI ​record of late and ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward out there on the ⁠field.

“From a team perspective, we generally know who those core players ⁠are (for the World Cup). I don’t think we will move away too much from that,” he added.

“We’ll ‌see new faces coming in, but probably that England series (in January 2027) will be closer to what we ​think we will have for the World Cup.”