By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) named an 18-player preliminary squad for their upcoming home Test series against Australia next month.
The series will be important for both sides in their quest to feature in the ICC World Test Championship 2027 Final.
Kagiso Rabada is included while recovering from a hamstring injury, with his match readiness to be tested during an intra-squad match.
Rabada suffered a right hamstring injury, which has kept him on the sidelines, including the ongoing ODI series.
Andre Norje returns to the Test setup for the first time since 2023, alongside recalls for Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson.
However, the Proteas will be without the services of Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman, all of whom miss out as they continue their rehabilitation from their respective injuries.
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.
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.
“We will give it [final decision on Rabada] as much time as humanly possible but we also don’t want to take a call based on desperation,” Shukri Conrad, Proteas head coach, said in a press conference on Monday.
As cricketers, respect for the opposition, respect for the game, respect for each other in the change room. I’d like our fans to get firmly behind us. I’d also like our fans to give them some stick, but respectfully so,” he said.
The first Test will be played in Durban from October 9 to 13, with further fixtures in Gqeberha (October 18 to 22) and Cape Town (October 27 to 31).
Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), 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 and Kyle Verreynne.