Rabada in South Africa's preliminary squad for Australia Tests
Kagiso Rabada is recovering from a hamstring injury and his availability will be assessed • Associated Press
Kagiso Rabada has been included in South Africa's preliminary Test squad for the three Test series against Australia, which starts on October 9. Rabada is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during winter training and his availability for the first Test will be assessed during an intra-squad match next week.
Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka, who are also dealing with hamstring problems, have not been considered for selection. Instead, Anrich Nortje, who is no longer centrally contracted to CSA, is in line to play his first Test since March 2023, having been included in an extended squad that includes seven quicks.
Gerald Coetzee, who made an international comeback from injury in the first ODI against Australia last week, was picked after last playing a Test in November 2024. Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson, who was part of South Africa's World Test Championship final squad, make up the rest of the pace pack.
"Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases. We have different options across the squad and the next week will give us an opportunity to determine which combinations are best suited to the conditions," Shukri Conrad, South Africa's head coach said in a statement. "We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test, and the two-day game will give us a clearer picture of where he is in terms of his match readiness."
The only uncapped player is top-order batter Marques Ackerman, who has scored more than 1000 runs for South Africa A, and will be competing for a top three place with Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder. Recent form could see Ackerman nudge ahead of them.
"On the batting front, we've stuck with our core group," Conrad said. "It's great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA 'A' side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We're looking forward to having him in the Test environment."
Also in the mix for a middle-order spot is David Bedingham, who scored twin hundreds for Western Province in the most recent round of domestic first-class matches. Dewald Brevis, who was in South Africa's most recent Test squad that won in India, has not been included.
South Africa have named three spinners: Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, all of whom played a role in the last World Test Championship cycle. With early season conditions expected to take some turn, especially as the matches are all at coastal venues, South Africa could find room for two of the three in their XI.
South Africa's Test squad will assemble in Durban on October 1.
South Africa squad for Australia Tests
Temba Bavuma (capt), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
Firdose Moonda is Cricinfo's senior correspondent for Africa and women's cricket
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