Kagiso Rabada has not made it back from a hamstring injury in time to play in the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead, which starts on Friday (October 9).
Rabada, South Africa’s spearhead, was replaced by Anrich Nortje — who hasn’t played a Test or first-class match for more than three-and-a-half years after choosing to focus on his white-ball career.
“It wasn’t an easy decision,” Temba Bavuma told a press conference on Thursday. “We went the conservative route to give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can be to 100% fitness.”
The XI Bavuma announced reflects one other change from the team who beat Australia by five wickets the previous time the sides met; in the WTC final at Lord’s in June last year. Simon Harmer replaces Lungi Ngidi, who is also hamstrung.
South Africa XI for the 1st Test against Australia: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
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