Rabada Makes Preliminary Squad
South Africa Names Rabada in Preliminary Squad for Australia Test Series
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South Africa named an 18-player preliminary squad for its three-Test home series against Australia, which begins October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban. Kagiso Rabada is included while recovering from a hamstring injury, but his availability for the opener will be assessed after an intra-squad match; Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka were left out while recovering from injuries. Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee return to the Test setup, and the squad includes seven fast-bowling options. Uncapped top-order batter Marques Ackerman earned his first call-up after a strong run for South Africa A, while Dewald Brevis was not selected. The squad is due to assemble in Durban on October 1 before selectors trim it to 15.
Key Points
1
Marques Ackerman’s recent South Africa A record includes more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances at an average of 82.92, with four centuries, including a career-best 256 against Bangladesh A.
2
South Africa’s three Tests are all at coastal venues, and early-season conditions could lead the selectors to consider playing two spinners from Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy.
3
Anrich Nortje, who is no longer centrally contracted to Cricket South Africa, is in line for his first Test appearance since March 2023; Gerald Coetzee last played a Test in November 2024.
4
Coach Shukri Conrad said the expanded bowling group offers flexibility to assess combinations for the conditions, and that the two-day intra-squad match should provide a clearer picture of Rabada’s match readiness.
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