South Africa captain Temba Bavuma revealed the side’s playing XI for the opening Test match against Australia, with pacer Kagiso Rabada being ruled out of the match due to a hamstring injury and having not featured for South Africa since May earlier this year. Rabada was already in doubt heading into the series and ahead of the opening game, he failed to pass the fitness Test that has put him out of the first match.
Meanwhile, Anrich Nortje and Marco Jansen are in the lineup and will lead the team's pace attack. Nortje returns to the South Africa Test team for the first time since 2023, when he played in a Test against West Indies.
In the spin department, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer have been picked. To lead the batting attack, South Africa have the likes of Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Beddingham and captain Temba Bavuma himself. The first Test is scheduled to begin on Friday in Durban.
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Beddingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubss, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje