Kagiso Rabada named in South Africa preliminary squad for Australia Tests

South Africa named Kagiso Rabada in an 18-player preliminary squad for the first Test against Australia starting October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban. Rabada has not played since the IPL in May while recovering from a right hamstring injury and will be assessed during a two-day intra-squad match. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka were omitted for similar reasons.

Anrich Nortje returns to the Test squad after last playing the format in March 2023, while Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson complete the pace options alongside allrounder Marco Jansen. Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy form the spin attack.

Marques Ackerman is the only uncapped player in the group after impressing for South Africa A. Coach Shukri Conrad said the two-day intra-squad match will give a clearer picture of Rabada's match readiness before the final 15 is settled.