Proteas name starting XI for first Test against Australia

Rabada was included in the squad despite carrying a hamstring injury, and was in a race against time to regain full fitness ahead of that match at Kingsmead in Durban. 

Coach Shukri Conrad has instead gone with Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje as the two seam bowlers, with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer the two spinners.

Here’s the line-up as announced by the skipper.

Bavuma explained Rabada’s omission, saying that they’re still hopeful of his return for the rest of the series.

"Yeah look we're confident in our medical team to get him to a place where we need him to be. Having officially handed over Kagiso, if I could put it that way, he's under their control,” Bavuma said. 

“Obviously for us as soon as he gets the greenlight, we expect him to be within that starting lineup. So, give him a couple of days until I guess the second test but yeah he is in the hands of the medical team."

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The two sides take each other on at St. George’s Oval in Gqeberha in the second Test and then wrap things up at Newlands in Cape Town in the third Test match.

Paceman Anrich Nortje makes his return to the Test team after a three year absence, and Bavuma revealed what tipped the scales in his favour.

"Yeah look I mean it's hard to ignore his X factor. I think there's not many guys around who are bowling 150 plus and I think as a batter that's not something that I would look forward to,” he added. 

“You know, he fits in very well into our approach from a bowling point of view with regards to the fast bowlers. Look, as well, as much as he doesn't have the weight of overs under his belt of bowling with the redball, he has been doing work with the bowling coaches. 

“I think the time that we've had as well he's been very impressive on the net. I think it was a calculated call to give Anrich Notje a go."