Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Anrich Nortje Set for Test Return Against Australia
Anrich Nortje may play Test cricket for South Africa again.
The team is preparing to play Australia in Durban on Friday.
Nortje has not played a red-ball match since March 2023.
South Africa has injuries among its fast bowlers, and Kagiso Rabada’s fitness is uncertain.
Nortje has been practicing for the longer format and slowly building up his bowling.
He has played 19 Tests before.
Nortje says he would be excited to wear the Test cap again.
The team is expected to choose its final 15 players after an intra-squad match.
Anrich Nortje is expected to return to South Africa’s Test squad for the first Test against Australia in Durban on Friday.
It would be his first red-ball appearance since taking 5-36 against the West Indies in March 2023.
South Africa’s pace attack has been hit by injuries, with Kagiso Rabada’s fitness in doubt and three other bowlers ruled out with hamstring injuries.
Nortje said he has worked on his red-ball skills and gradually building his bowling workload.
He has played 19 Tests, averaging 26.71 with the ball, and said he would be excited to wear the Test cap again.
- Who
- Anrich Nortje is expected to return for South Africa; Australia is the opposing team.
- What
- Nortje could make his return to Test cricket.
- When
- The first Test is scheduled to start Friday; Nortje’s last first-class appearance was in March 2023.
- Where
- Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- South Africa’s pace attack is short of options because of injuries, and Nortje has been preparing to bowl in the red-ball format.
- Match
- South Africa vs Australia, first Test
- Venue
- Durban
- Nortje's last first-class appearance
- South Africa's Test victory over the West Indies in March 2023
- Last-match figures
- 5-36 in the first innings
- Test record
- 19 Tests; bowling average of 26.71
- South Africa injury concerns
- Kagiso Rabada's fitness is in doubt, and three other bowlers are ruled out with hamstring injuries
- Squad selection
- South Africa is expected to reduce its preliminary squad from 18 to 15