Kagiso Rabada has been included in South Africa’s preliminary squad for the three-Test series against Australia, starting October 9. However, his availability will be assessed during an intra-squad match next week. Rabada is recovering from a hamstring injury he sustained during training.  Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka, who are also out of action due to hamstring injuries, were not considered.

Anrich Nortje, who is not a centrally contracted player, has been recalled and is in contention to play his first Test since March 2023.

Gerald Coetzee, who returned to action in the first ODI against Australia, has been named. His last Test came in 2024.

Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson are the other pacers in the team. They were part of South Africa’s team for the World Test Championship final against Australia.

Marques Ackerman is the uncapped player, and he will be competing against the likes of Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder for a place in the team. He has scored over 1,000 runs for South Africa A.

Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy are the three spinners who will have a task of dominating the Aussie batters.

There is a possibility of the Proteas playing two spinners in the first Test as the conditions could suit the slow overs and Australian players are not very good against the tweakers. The Test squad has been told to assemble in Durban on October 1.

South Africa’s preliminary squad for the Australia Test series

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.