South Africa names preliminary Test squad for Australia series

South Africa has announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled to begin on October 9. The squad includes fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who is poised to make his Test return for the first time since March 2023.

Star bowler Kagiso Rabada has also been named in the squad, though his availability for the opening Test remains uncertain as he recovers from a hamstring injury. His fitness will be assessed during a two-day intra-squad match in Durban. The selection of a large bowling group, featuring seven fast bowlers, aims to provide flexibility due to several injuries affecting regular pacers, including Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, and Ottneil Baartman.

Other notable inclusions are Gerald Coetzee and spinners Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy. The squad also features uncapped top-order batter Marques Ackerman, who is competing for a position in the top three.