Rabada Out, Nortje's 93 mph Comeback: South Africa's Bold Gamble for Australia Test

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-09

South Africa's cricket fans got a jolt this week. Kagiso Rabada, the spearhead of the pace attack, will miss the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. Captain Temba Bavuma announced the playing XI on October 8, 2026, and the big news wasn't just Rabada's absence—it was the return of Anrich Nortje after more than three and a half years away from red-ball cricket. This three-match World Test Championship series starts on October 9. It's the first time South Africa has hosted Australia in a Test series since 2017/18. The hosts are hungry for a strong start in Durban before the action moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town. ### Kagiso Rabada's Injury Update Rabada suffered a hamstring injury during winter training back in June 2026. He hasn't played competitive cricket since representing the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League in May. His last Test appearance was during South Africa's tour of Pakistan in October 2025. Let's not forget: Rabada was the hero of South Africa's World Test Championship final victory over Australia at Lord's in June 2025, where he took nine wickets. His presence will be missed, but the team is playing it safe. Rabada returned to bowling in an intra-squad practice match last weekend and completed a training session at Kingsmead on Thursday. But Bavuma chose to rest him rather than risk further muscle damage. "He's under the complete care of our medical team until they give the green light," Bavuma said. The hope is Rabada can return for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on October 18. ### Anrich Nortje Returns With Express Pace Anrich Nortje last played a Test match against the West Indies in March 2023. The 32-year-old pacer built up his match fitness in the European T20 Premier League in the Netherlands and Ireland last month. During net sessions on Wednesday, Nortje regularly bowled deliveries exceeding 93 mph (150 km/h). Bavuma praised his "genuine pace" and called him an "X-factor bowler." But with Nortje's history of back stress fractures, the medical staff will monitor his workload closely. > "Anrich brings a different dimension to our attack," Bavuma said. "We'll manage him smartly, but he's ready to fire." ### South Africa's Tactical Bowling Selections South Africa selected two specialist spinners: Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer. Harmer replaced fast bowler Lungi Ngidi, who also sits out with a hamstring injury. Maharaj and Harmer last bowled together in a Test against India in November 2025. Marco Jansen and seam-bowling all-rounder Wiaan Mulder complete the fast bowling unit alongside Nortje. Selectors chose Mulder ahead of Corbin Bosch because Mulder offers stronger batting depth at number six. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne bats at number seven. ### Top-Order Batting and Match Context South Africa's opening partnership features Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton. David Bedingham takes the number three spot. Captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs complete the middle order at four and five. Marques Ackermann joins Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, and Rabada on the reserve bench. This series marks the first Test meetings between these two rivals on South African soil since 2017/18. South Africa recently beat Australia 2-1 in a three-match ODI series, so confidence is high. But Test cricket is a different beast. Can the Proteas overcome Rabada's absence and Nortje's long layoff? The answer starts in Durban.