Anrich Nortje ruled out of SA vs Australia Test decider with groin injury
Synopsis
Anrich Nortje's groin injury has forced him out of the do-or-die third Test at Newlands — a blow that arrives just as his comeback from a three-and-a-half-year red-ball absence was gaining traction. With the series level at 1-1 and CSA refusing to name a replacement, South Africa now head into the decider short of their most dangerous bowler.
Key Takeaways
Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town with a mild groin injury .
The series is level at 1-1 ; the deciding Test begins on Tuesday, 28 October 2026 .
Nortje was injured during the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha and did not return after his fourth over .
His absence is especially significant as it came during his return to Test cricket after more than three-and-a-half years away from red-ball cricket.
Gerald Coetzee , Corbin Bosch , and Dane Paterson are the main candidates to replace him, with Senuran Muthusamy as a spin option.
CSA has chosen not to name a replacement in the squad.
South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the series-deciding third Test against Australia after sustaining a mild groin injury, Cricket South Africa (CSA) confirmed. The final match of the three-Test series begins at Newlands, Cape Town on Tuesday, 28 October 2026, with the series locked at 1-1.
How the Injury Unfolded
Nortje suffered the injury while bowling during the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha on Wednesday. He walked off the field midway through his fourth over on the fourth morning at St George's Park and did not return to bowl, spending the remainder of the match in the dressing room. Scans conducted the following day confirmed the injury. The duration of his lay-off remains unclear at this stage.
A Setback After a Long Absence
The timing is particularly cruel for Nortje, who had not featured in a red-ball match in more than three-and-a-half years before making his comeback in the series opener in Durban. He had actually been in contention to be rested ahead of the second Test in Gqeberha, but South Africa retained him in the playing eleven after he came through the first Test unscathed. His return to Test cricket now faces another interruption before it could properly gather momentum.
Replacement Options Under Consideration
CSA opted against naming a direct replacement in the squad. South Africa's selectors will instead choose from players already travelling with the group. The leading candidates to fill Nortje's slot in the playing eleven are fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who has not played a Test in nearly two years; all-rounder Corbin Bosch; and pacer Dane Paterson. All three have been part of the touring party since the series opener. Should the team opt for additional spin, left-arm spinning all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy could also be considered.
Broader Injury Concerns for South Africa
Nortje's setback adds to a growing list of fitness concerns for South African cricket heading into a busy home summer. Left-arm pacer Lungi Ngidi, who sustained a hamstring injury during the opening round of the domestic first-class competition, is expected to return to action next month and could feature in the upcoming series against Bangladesh. Meanwhile, Ottneil Baartman — also recovering from a hamstring issue — returned for the Dolphins in the Pro20 competition and claimed 4 for 12. There is no update yet on left-arm pacer Kwena Maphaka or batter Tony de Zorzi, who hurt his hamstring during the third ODI against Australia last month.
South Africa's Squad for the Third Test
The confirmed squad is: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, and Kyle Verreynne. With the series on the line and their premier quick unavailable, South Africa's bowling attack selection at Newlands will be one of the most closely watched decisions of the series.
Point of View
And Newlands' conditions typically reward pace and bounce. South Africa's selectors also face a deeper problem: a mounting injury list that exposes the fragility of their pace bowling depth just as a demanding home summer begins. If this series is lost, the absence of Nortje — and the decision to play him in the second Test rather than rest him — will invite scrutiny.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Anrich Nortje been ruled out of the third Test against Australia?
Nortje has been ruled out due to a mild groin injury sustained while bowling in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha. Scans confirmed the injury the following day, and Cricket South Africa subsequently withdrew him from the series decider.
Who could replace Anrich Nortje in South Africa's playing eleven?
South Africa have three main candidates already in the squad: fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, all-rounder Corbin Bosch, and pacer Dane Paterson. Left-arm spinning all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy is also an option if the team wants additional spin at Newlands.
What is the current state of the South Africa vs Australia Test series?
The three-match series is level at 1-1, making the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town a series decider. The match is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 28 October 2026.
How significant is Nortje's return to Test cricket before this injury?
Nortje had not played a red-ball match in more than three-and-a-half years before the series opener in Durban. His comeback was widely seen as a major boost for South Africa's Test bowling attack, making his injury particularly unfortunate in terms of timing.
When will Anrich Nortje return from his groin injury?
The length of Nortje's lay-off has not been confirmed. Cricket South Africa has not provided a specific timeline, meaning his availability for future matches — including the Bangladesh series — remains uncertain.
