South Africa v Australia first Test: Rabada out, Nortje recalled as WTC final rematch starts in Durban

South Africa and Australia meet in a Test match for the first time since the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's, which South Africa won. The first of three Tests starts at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday 9 October. South Africa have lost their leading fast bowler before a ball is bowled: Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, and fast bowler Anrich Nortje returns to Test cricket for the first time since March 2023.

South Africa's selection

Captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada was being given extra days to recover fully and would return once cleared. He did not confirm whether Rabada will be available for the last two Tests. Rabada has not played an official match since the Indian Premier League in May.

Without him, South Africa have picked two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The pair last played together in the Guwahati Test last November, a 408-run win that sealed South Africa's first Test series win in India in 25 years. Nortje and Marco Jansen lead the seam attack, with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder as the third seamer. Nortje has mostly played T20 cricket recently but has been building his red-ball workload with bowling coach Piet Botha. Bavuma called him an "X-factor" because of his pace.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.

Nine of the team played in the WTC final win over Australia.

Australia's injury problems

Australia have problems of their own. All-rounder Cameron Green is out of the first Test with an abdominal strain but has stayed with the squad in South Africa. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis broke a finger and has left the tour, with a return planned for the second Test. Sam Harper has come in as cover behind the stumps and Nic Maddinson as a batter.

Captain Pat Cummins would not say whether Australia will also pick two spinners. Coach Andrew McDonald has said there would need to be a compelling reason, so Nathan Lyon is expected to be the only specialist spinner. Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are likely to lead the attack, the same three quicks who played Australia's last Test in South Africa in 2018. Travis Head is expected to open, and Marnus Labuschagne is set to bat at No. 3 after scoring a hundred in the tour game.

The Kingsmead record

Australia have won their last three Tests at Kingsmead, going back to 2006. Pace bowlers have done most of the damage there recently. In the two Tests played at the ground since Covid, seamers took 46 wickets at 22.51 compared with 26 at 27.11 for spinners. South Africa's spin-heavy selection is therefore a clear gamble on the conditions.

Aiden Markram will be one to watch at the top of the order. He averages 61.6 against Australia, well above his overall Test average of about 35. Steve Smith can expect a hostile reception on his first Test tour of South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering affair.

Schedule and Malaysia times

Play starts at 9.30am local time, which is 3.30pm in Malaysia. The second session runs from 6.10pm to 8.10pm and the final session from 8.30pm to 10.30pm Malaysia time, with up to 30 extra minutes allowed. The match is scheduled to finish on Tuesday 13 October.

The series continues at St George's Park in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October and ends at Newlands in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October. Australia lead the current WTC cycle and South Africa are second, so both sides have plenty at stake. Day one had not started when this article was published.

Key takeaways

• Kagiso Rabada is out of the Durban Test with a hamstring injury, and Anrich Nortje plays his first Test since March 2023.
• South Africa pick two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.
• Australia are without Cameron Green (abdominal strain) and Josh Inglis (broken finger).
• Play starts at 3.30pm Malaysia time each day from 9 to 13 October.

FAQ

What time does the South Africa v Australia first Test start in Malaysia? Play starts at 9.30am in Durban, which is 3.30pm Malaysia time.

Why is Kagiso Rabada not playing in the first Test? He has a hamstring injury. South Africa are giving him extra time to recover fully.

Where are the second and third Tests? The second Test is in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October and the third is in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October.

Sources: Associated Press, cricket.com.au