Proteas giving Rabada 'every chance' to face Australia

South Africa are giving Kagiso Rabada "every chance of being available" to face Australia in the Test series opener after naming the star quick in an extended squad.

Fellow speedster Anrich Nortje is also in the 18-man group for the first Test amid an injury crunch that has sidelined pacemen Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka. Like Rabada, all three are dealing with hamstring concerns.

Rabada hurt his right hamstring in winter training and has not played a match since the Indian Premier League in May. His involvement in the Australia series had been under a cloud but the Proteas are keeping the door ajar for him to be involved in a two-day intra-squad game in Durban leading into the first Test on October 9.

South Africa squad for first Test: Temba Bavuma (c), 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, Kyle Verreynne.

"Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases," said coach Shukri Conrad. "We have different options across the squad and the next week will give us an opportunity to determine which combinations are best suited to the conditions.

"We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test, and the two-day game will give us a clearer picture of where he is in terms of his match readiness."

Conrad said South Africa will cut three players the preliminary 18-man squad.

With 341 wickets at 22.02, Rabada is one of Test cricket's all-time great fast bowlers and has caused Australia considerable trouble in the past.

He was the leading bowler the last time they played Tests in the Rainbow Nation in 2018, while he took nine wickets in the rivals' most recent encounter in last year's World Test Championship final at Lord's.

Nortje has not only not featured at Test level since March 2023, he has not played anything longer than a T20 since a back stress fracture ruled him out of that year's ODI World Cup. After opting out of a national contract the following year, he has operated as a T20 freelancer.

Gerald Coetzee is also in line to make a Test return after a long absence – his stretching to almost two years – with Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder the other seam options behind gun allrounder Marco Jansen.

Keshav Maharaj is joined by fellow spinners Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy, while 30-year-old batter Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the group. There was no room for Dewald Brevis, who has also missed selection in the ongoing ODI series.

“On the batting front, we’ve stuck with our core group," said Conrad. "It’s great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA ‘A’ side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We’re looking forward to having him in the Test environment."

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