Anrich Nortje returns to South Africa Test XI against Australia
Anrich Nortje returns to South Africa's Test XI for the first time since March 2023 as the hosts prepare to face Australia in Durban.
Anrich Nortje will play his first Test since March 2023 when South Africa face Australia in Durban on Friday. South Africa have also included two specialist spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer for the match. Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test with a hamstring injury.
Captain Temba Bavuma called Nortje an X-Factor player and noted few bowlers can sustain speeds above 150 kmh. Nortje played in the European T20 Premier League last month and impressed with his pace during South Africa's week-long preparation. The series marks Australia's first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal.
Australia captain Pat Cummins said the tourists will finalise their XI on Friday morning. The series is the start of a heavy 12-month schedule of Tests for Australia, who will also tour India and England.
CricHubb Take
Nortje's return after a 19-month absence from Test cricket comes at a time when South Africa's pace resources have been depleted by injuries. His ability to sustain speeds above 150 kmh offers the hosts a weapon that could trouble Australia's batters on a Durban pitch that typically assists seam movement early in matches.