Last Updated on 24 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Kagiso Rabada is a chance of featuring in the Test series against Australia, with Cricket South Africa (CSA) naming him in their 18-man provisional squad.
It was feared that Rabada would miss the entire series due to a hamstring injured suffered during winter training. However, CSA maintained that his progress would be monitored, before a video of Rabada bowling in the nets further raised hopes of an appearance in the highly-anticipated series.
Want to give Kagiso Rabada every chance to be available for first Test against Australia: Shukri Conrad
South Africa have organised an intra-squad match to be played before the first Test on October 9. According to coach Shukri Conrad, a call will then be made on Rabada’s fitness and availability.
“We will give it [final decision on Rabada] as much time as humanly possible but we also don’t want to take a call based on desperation,” Conrad said in a press conference, as quoted by Cricinfo.
“Based on how the three-day match plays out, a day or two after that, I reckon we will make a call.”
The Proteas have picked a number of fast bowlers in their squad. Anrich Nortje has been included and could play his first Test since 2023. Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson are the other specialist pace bowlers in the squad, along with Rabada. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka are unavailable due to hamstring injuries.
Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder are other seam-bowling options available to captain Temba Bavuma.
South Africa squad for Australia Tests: Temba Bavuma (capt), 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
