Rabada Out, Nortje Back: South Africa's Bold Gamble for First Australia Test

Dr. Annelies De Vos · 2026-10-09

South Africa's first Test against Australia at Kingsmead in Durban is almost here, and the team news has everyone talking. Captain Temba Bavuma named his XI on October 8, 2026, and the big story is the absence of star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. In his place, Anrich Nortje returns to Test cricket after more than three and a half years away. ### What Happened to Kagiso Rabada? Rabada picked up a hamstring injury during winter training back in June 2026. He hasn't played any competitive cricket since turning out for Gujarat Titans in the IPL in May. His last Test was against Pakistan in October 2025. The guy is a proven match-winner – he took nine wickets in South Africa's World Test Championship final win over Australia at Lord's in June 2025. But hamstring injuries are tricky, and rushing him back could make things worse. Rabada did return to bowling in an intra-squad practice match last weekend and even had a training session at Kingsmead on Thursday. But Bavuma decided to play it safe. "He's in the complete care of our medical team until they give the green light," the captain explained. The hope is that Rabada will be ready for the second Test in Gqeberha, which starts on October 18. ### Anrich Nortje: The X-Factor Returns Anrich Nortje last played a Test back in March 2023 against the West Indies. Since then, he's been battling back from injury and building his fitness in the European T20 Premier League in the Netherlands and Ireland. The 32-year-old was clocked bowling over 93 mph (150 km/h) in net sessions on Wednesday, and Bavuma couldn't hide his excitement. "He's a genuine X-factor bowler," the captain said. "His pace can change a game in a session." But there's a catch: Nortje has a history of back stress fractures, so the medical staff will keep a close eye on his workload during the match. It's a risk, but one South Africa seems willing to take. ### South Africa's Tactical Bowling Selections With Rabada out and Lungi Ngidi also sidelined with a hamstring injury, South Africa opted for two specialist spinners: Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. Harmer comes in for Ngidi, and the last time these two bowled together in a Test was against India in November 2025. The fast-bowling unit will be led by Marco Jansen and all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, who got the nod ahead of Corbin Bosch because of his stronger batting at number six. Wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne slots in at seven. ### Top-Order Batting and Match Context Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will open the batting. David Bedingham comes in at number three, followed by captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs in the middle order. Marques Ackermann, Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, and Rabada make up the reserves. This series is the first Test meeting between South Africa and Australia on South African soil since the 2017/18 tour. South Africa will take confidence from their recent 2-1 ODI series win over the Aussies. The three-match World Test Championship series kicks off on October 9 in Durban, then moves to Gqeberha and Cape Town. > "We've got a strong squad and we're ready to compete. Australia are the top team in the world, but we're here to win." – Temba Bavuma All eyes will be on Nortje's pace and how South Africa's bowling attack holds up without Rabada. It's a bold move, but sometimes you have to roll the dice.