Rabada set to return for second Test as South Africa review batting frailties
South Africa will welcome back Kagiso Rabada for the second Test while reviewing batting failures that contributed to their 224-run defeat in Durban.
Kagiso Rabada is expected to play his first competitive match since May when South Africa face Australia in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The 31-year-old has been bowling with increasing intensity on the outfield at Kingsmead after missing the first Test for precautionary reasons.
South Africa lost the Durban opener by 224 runs, their heaviest home defeat in six years. Captain Temba Bavuma admitted the team produced soft dismissals and that the twin-spin approach with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer failed to trouble Australia.
Bavuma said conversations about selection will follow, with several batters under pressure. Anrich Nortje bowled 40 overs in his first long-format match since March 2023 and may not back up immediately.
CricHubb Take
The scale of defeat and the admission that some players lacked experience under pressure suggests South Africa's rebuilding phase may require more than one series to stabilise.