How Maharaj has emerged as Australia's biggest threat

Australia had foreseen intimidating speedster Kagiso Rabada as South Africa's major weapon on their return to the Rainbow Nation. Instead, a bowler whose stature is considerably less imposing, one who bowls 50kph slower and stands around 15cm shorter, is shaping as their biggest threat.

Amid an injury crisis that has Rabada and a host of other fast bowlers sidelined, the Proteas are warming to the idea that a Maharaj-led spin assault may be their surest path to victory in next month's Test series.

It certainly has been for the ODIs. The Wanderers' reputation as a pace haven was flipped on its head on Sunday as captain Temba Bavuma, also unable to call upon another first-choice quick in Lungi Ngidi, instead threw 30 overs of finger spin at the Aussies. Maharaj (2-54) led the series-clinching 32-run win.

Even Bavuma admitted after the match the Johannesburg surface offered more grip through the afternoon than he had expected. David Miller warned more of the same could be coming when the past two World Test champions kick the Test series off at Durban's Kingsmead.

"Durban is renowned to be a little bit on the slower side, so I would suppose so," white-ball specialist Miller said when asked if South Africa should look to replicate the turning conditions they have prospered in so far.

"You'd love to see the wicket day three, day four, testing the Aussie batters out there with the spinners that we do have. So I would definitely think that would be part of the plan – but I certainly don't make those decisions."

Those words could also be music to Nathan Lyon's ears. Yet the fact Maharaj boasts a major Test achievement Lyon cannot claim– bowling his country to a Test series win in India – could be further encouragement for South Africa to go all in on him.

Simon Harmer, the off-spinner who was Maharaj's sidekick in their 2-0 triumph over Shubman Gill's side last year, stands ready to assist.

The Australians have raved about the skill of Maharaj through the first two ODIs, during which he has captured a series-leading six wickets, Test batters Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey and Cameron Green among them.

Indeed the 36-year-old has strong records against a number of those who will front up for the red-ball games; the sharp-turning stump seeker that had Carey lbw on Sunday marked the third time he has dismissed him in all formats (for an average of 17), while he has also had the wood over Green (three times in ODIs for an average of just 7.66) and Labuschagne (three times at 33 in ODIs).

His returns against Australia's leading Test batter is also encouraging. No spinner has been more successful against Steve Smith outside Asia than Maharaj, who has claimed his wicket four times in Tests. He is also the only slow bowler in those conditions to bowl more than 20 overs to Smith and keep him at a strike-rate below 50.

Maharaj's match-up with Travis Head is arguably the most intriguing. Before this tour, the left-handed opener had gotten the better of the South African across all formats, striking at 112 against him. But through the first two one-dayers here Maharaj has kept Head to only 16 runs from 25 balls. Head's strike-rate against all other South African bowlers has been 118.

"They both have great length control, particularly Maharaj," Jack Edwards said of the Proteas' left-arm spin contingent that also includes Bjorn Fortuin.

"When the wicket is a bit dry like that, and the ball is softer, the ball can spin sharp (one delivery) and then slide on the next one. I think just the lengths that they both held – for you to score a boundary, you have to take a considerable risk."

As South Africa's most prolific Test spinner, Maharaj's dedication to the side he has taken 218 wickets at under 30 for was apparent when he broke down in tears after toppling the Aussies at Lord's last year after helping his country to their first piece of ICC silverware.

But the 36-year-old's commitment has gone even a step further over the winter after a health kick that has seen him front up in possibly career-best shape – a sign he is ready to take on long spells.

"I was catching up briefly with him now and said, 'Sheeze, Kesh, where have you gone?'" his long-time teammate Aiden Markram said on Saturday. "He looks fit. He looks strong. Looks healthy. He's always been the ultimate professional."

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First ODI: South Africa beat Australia by 67 runs

Second ODI: South Africa beat Australia by 32 runs

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

South Africa ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Nqobani Mokoena, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs

Australia ODI squad: Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Marsh, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Jack Edwards, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster