Johannesburg, September 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
South Africa have named fast bowler Kagiso Rabada in their preliminary 18-member squad for the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban, while Anrich Nortje returns to the red-ball setup and batter Marques Ackerman receives his maiden Test call-up.
Rabada, who is recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during winter training, will undergo a fitness assessment during a two-day intra-squad match next week. His participation in the opening Test will depend on his match readiness.
South Africa’s pace options have been affected by injuries, with Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka ruled out of selection due to hamstring problems. Their absence has opened the door for Nortje, who is in line to play his first red-ball match for South Africa since March 2023, despite no longer holding a central contract with Cricket South Africa.
The pace attack also includes Gerald Coetzee, who returns to Test cricket after nearly two years, and experienced seamer Dane Paterson. All-rounders Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder provide further seam-bowling options.
Head coach Shukri Conrad said the expanded bowling group would provide flexibility in selecting combinations suited to the conditions. He added that the intra-squad match would help assess Rabada’s fitness and determine the final bowling combinations.
Ackerman, 30, is the only uncapped player in the preliminary squad. He earned his maiden Test selection following an impressive run with South Africa ‘A’, scoring more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 first-class appearances at an average of 82.92. His performances included a career-best 256 against Bangladesh ‘A’ in August.
Ackerman is expected to compete with Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs and Mulder for a place in the top three. Meanwhile, David Bedingham has retained his place after scoring two centuries for Western Province in domestic cricket. Young batter Dewald Brevis, who was part of the South African squad that won a Test series in India last year, has missed out.
Conrad said the team would assemble in Durban on October 1 for an extended preparation camp featuring training sessions, the two-day intra-squad match and scenario-based practice. The preparations will help the management assess the players and conditions before finalising the 15-member squad.
South Africa have also included three specialist spinners in Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, with the selectors anticipating that the conditions early in the season could offer assistance to spin bowling.
South Africa’s preliminary squad for the first Test against Australia: 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.
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