Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin this Friday, October 9, at Kingsmead. The fast bowler failed to recover in time from a hamstring injury, forcing a late adjustment to the South African lineup.
Captain Temba Bavuma noted that the choice to sideline Rabada was difficult, explaining during a Thursday press conference that the team opted for a conservative approach to allow the spearhead extra time to regain full fitness. Filling his spot is Anrich Nortje, who makes his return to the longest format after a three-and-a-half-year hiatus spent focusing on white-ball cricket. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” Temba Bavuma told a press conference on Thursday. “We went the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100% fitness.”.
The squad announcement also confirms a second alteration from the team that defeated Australia by five wickets in the June 2023 WTC final at Lord’s. Simon Harmer will step in for Lungi Ngidi, who is also currently managing a hamstring injury.
