Nortje returns after 3 years as Rabada misses SA's first Australia Test
Synopsis
South Africa's selection for the Durban Test against Australia hinges on a bold call: Anrich Nortje, absent from red-ball cricket for over three years, comes in for the injured Kagiso Rabada. Skipper Temba Bavuma described it as a 'calculated' gamble on raw pace — Nortje regularly bowls at 150 kph — with Rabada being held back in hopes of a second-Test comeback at Gqeberha.
Key Takeaways
Kagiso Rabada misses the first South Africa vs Australia Test in Durban due to a hamstring injury .
Anrich Nortje returns to Test cricket after more than three years , his last red-ball game being against West Indies at Centurion in March 2023 .
Nortje was picked over Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee for his ability to bowl consistently at 150 kph .
South Africa field two spinners — Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer — alongside pace all-rounder Wiaan Mulder .
Skipper Temba Bavuma says Rabada could return for the second Test in Gqeberha if he gets the medical all-clear.
South Africa have confirmed their Playing XI for the opening Test of the three-match series against Australia, starting in Durban on Friday, 10 October 2026, with tearaway fast bowler Anrich Nortje earning a recall after more than three years away from red-ball cricket. Star pacer Kagiso Rabada, battling a hamstring injury, has been left out of the XI despite training ahead of the match.
Rabada's fitness call and what comes next
Rabada went through his paces in the nets at Kingsmead, Durban, bowling into an empty net, though he was reportedly operating below full tilt. Batting coach Ashwell Prince had indicated the decision on Rabada's availability would be delayed 'as late as possible,' but the management ultimately opted for caution. The Proteas, however, remain hopeful that Rabada will be fit in time for the second Test in Gqeberha. Skipper Temba Bavuma said the pacer was close to making the squad for the opener. 'It was not an easy one,' Bavuma told reporters. 'I think we did go the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100 per cent fitness. As soon as he gets the green light, we expect him to be within that starting lineup.'
Nortje's return after three-year red-ball absence
Anrich Nortje last played a Test match against the West Indies at Centurion in March 2023 — a gap of over three years in red-ball cricket. His most recent competitive action came in the inaugural European T20 League, where he represented the Rotterdam Dockers. Nortje was preferred over Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee, primarily on the strength of his raw pace, which routinely touches 150 kph. 'It's hard to ignore his X-factor,' Bavuma said. 'There's not many guys around who are bowling 150 kph plus, and I think as a batter, that's not something that I would look forward to.' The skipper acknowledged the risk of fielding a bowler short on red-ball match overs but backed the coaching staff's assessment: 'He has been doing work with the bowling coaches. He's been very impressive in the nets. So, it was a calculated call to give Anrich a go.'
South Africa's bowling attack and team balance
The Proteas' bowling unit is built around pace and variety. Marco Jansen joins Nortje as the second frontline seamer, with pace all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as the fifth bowling option. South Africa have gone in with two spinners — left-arm orthodox Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer — suggesting they expect the Durban surface to offer significant turn as the match progresses. This selection reflects the Proteas' preference for an all-conditions XI rather than a pure pace attack, which would have been expected given Rabada's absence.
South Africa Playing XI
South Africa have named: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Beddingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje. The first Test begins at Kingsmead on Friday, 10 October 2026, with Australia yet to confirm their own playing side. All eyes will be on whether Rabada recovers sufficiently to feature in the second match at Gqeberha.
Point of View
Clocked at 150-plus kph, can compensate for the lack of red-ball overs in his legs. If it backfires, the pressure on the selection panel — and on Bavuma's captaincy — ahead of Gqeberha will be considerable.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kagiso Rabada missing the first South Africa vs Australia Test in Durban?
Kagiso Rabada is missing the Durban Test due to a hamstring injury that left him below full fitness at training. South Africa opted to manage him conservatively, giving him extra recovery days, and he is expected to be considered for the second Test in Gqeberha.
When did Anrich Nortje last play a Test match?
Anrich Nortje last played a Test match in March 2023 against the West Indies at Centurion — a gap of over three years in red-ball cricket. He was most recently in action for the Rotterdam Dockers in the European T20 League.
Why was Anrich Nortje picked ahead of Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee?
Nortje was selected for his extra pace, regularly bowling at 150 kph and above. Skipper Temba Bavuma described his selection as a 'calculated call,' noting that his threat as a genuinely fast bowler was too significant to ignore despite limited red-ball overs in recent times.
What is South Africa's full Playing XI for the Durban Test against Australia?
South Africa's Playing XI is: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Beddingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Anrich Nortje. The first Test begins on Friday, 10 October 2026 at Kingsmead, Durban.
How many Tests are South Africa and Australia playing in this series?
South Africa and Australia are playing a three-Test series. The first Test is at Kingsmead in Durban, the second is in Gqeberha, with a third match to follow. South Africa are hopeful Rabada will return for the Gqeberha Test.
