Kagiso Rabada has been named in South Africa’s extended squad for its three-match Test series against Australia beginning on October 9.
Rabada is currently recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during a training camp, and his fitness will be assessed before the first Test. He is not taking part in the ongoing ODI series between the two sides.
“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,” said South Africa coach Shukri Conrad.
The Proteas have called up uncapped top-order batter Marques Ackerman, who has impressed for South Africa A. Ackerman will compete with Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs for a spot in the top order.
There are also returns to the Test squad for Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje, and Dane Paterson, but Lungi Ngidi — who featured in the World Test Championship final — misses out.
“We’ve selected a preliminary squad because we have an extended build-up to the first Test, with the group getting together in Durban on 1 October,” said Conrad.
“We’ll have a couple of training days, a two-day intra-squad match and scenario-based training, which will give us an opportunity to assess the group and conditions before settling on our final 15.
South Africa preliminary squad for Australia
Temba Bavuma, 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, and Kyle Verreynne.
Published on Sep 28, 2026
