Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Nortje Returns as Rabada Misses South Africa’s Test XI
South Africa picked its team for the first cricket Test against Australia in Durban.
Kagiso Rabada will miss the match because he is recovering from a hamstring injury.
He bowled at practice, but the team decided to give him more time to get fit.
Captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada could return when doctors clear him.
Anrich Nortje is back in South Africa’s Test team after last playing a Test in March 2023.
South Africa also chose two spin bowlers, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
Marco Jansen and Nortje are the specialist fast bowlers, while Wiaan Mulder can also bowl seam.
The series is scheduled to continue in Gqeberha and Cape Town.
South Africa named its XI for the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Thursday, October 9; the articles do not specify the year.
Kagiso Rabada was left out while recovering from a hamstring injury, with captain Temba Bavuma saying the team chose to give him more time to regain fitness.
Bavuma said Rabada could return once he receives medical clearance; South Africa hopes he may be available for the second Test in Gqeberha.
Anrich Nortje returns to Test cricket after last playing against the West Indies in March 2023; he was selected ahead of Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee.
South Africa selected two specialist pacers, Marco Jansen and Nortje, two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, and Wiaan Mulder as an additional seam option.
- Who
- South Africa and Australia; South Africa’s XI is captained by Temba Bavuma, with Anrich Nortje selected and Kagiso Rabada omitted.
- What
- South Africa announced its playing XI for the opening Test of a three-match series.
- When
- Thursday, October 9; the year is not specified.
- Where
- Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, South Africa.
- Why
- Rabada was omitted while recovering from a hamstring injury; South Africa selected Nortje and a bowling attack featuring two spinners.
Conservative selection
Available pace option
Rabada’s fitness
Conservative selection
South Africa chose to give Rabada extra time to recover rather than risk him in the opening Test.
Available pace option
Bavuma said Rabada was close to being considered and could return to the XI once medically cleared.
Nortje’s selection
Conservative selection
Nortje had limited recent red-ball experience, as acknowledged by Bavuma.
Available pace option
His pace, work with the bowling coaches and performances in the nets impressed the team; he was selected ahead of Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee.
- Match
- Opening Test in a three-match South Africa-Australia series
- Venue and date
- Kingsmead Stadium, Durban; Thursday, October 9 (year not specified)
- Rabada
- Omitted while recovering from a hamstring injury; a return after medical clearance is anticipated, potentially for the second Test
- Nortje
- Returns to Test cricket after last playing against the West Indies in March 2023
- Bowling options
- Specialist pacers: Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen; spinners: Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer; Wiaan Mulder is an additional seam option
- South Africa XI
- Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Anrich Nortje
- Other series venues
- Gqeberha for the second Test and Cape Town for the final Test
