Kagiso Rabada named in South Africa's preliminary squad for Australia Tests

South Africa included Kagiso Rabada in their 18-member preliminary squad for the three-Test home series against Australia despite the pacer's ongoing recovery from a hamstring injury. Rabada missed the ongoing ODI series against Australia and will be assessed during an intra-squad match next week.

Head coach Shukri Conrad said the final decision on Rabada's availability for the October 9 series opener in Durban will be made after the practice game. Conrad added that the team does not want to take a call based on desperation.

Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman were not considered due to their own hamstring issues. Anrich Nortje returns to the Test squad after his last appearance in March 2023, while Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson complete the pace options.