South Africa name XI without injured Rabada as Nortje plays first Test in three
Kagiso Rabada is ruled out with a hamstring injury; Anrich Nortje returns after his last Test in March 2023.
South Africa named their Test XI on Thursday for the opening match against Australia starting Friday in Durban. Spearhead Kagiso Rabada is unavailable after hurting his right hamstring in training.
Anrich Nortje has not played since the Indian Premier League in May. Anrich Nortje takes his place after his last Test in March 2023, partnering Marco Jansen with the new ball.
The 32-year-old has been bowling above 150 kilometres per hour in nets. South Africa hope to have Rabada fit for the second Test in Gqeberha.
Captain Temba Bavuma said the call was conservative to give Rabada extra time to reach full fitness.
- March 2023
- Nortje's last Test
- 32
- Nortje's age
- 150 kph plus
- Bowling speed in nets
- Durban
- Opening Test location
Why it mattersAustralia face a slightly weakened South African pace attack without Rabada, but still a formidable opponent after the Proteas beat them in the World Test Championship final last year.
AustraliaAustralia's Test team, led by Pat Cummins, will face South Africa starting Friday night Australian time. The series outcome will affect both teams' world rankings and World Test Championship standing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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