Durban: South Africa have decided to keep 17 players in their squad for the home Test series against Australia rather than trimming the group to 15, prioritising bowling depth for the three-match contest that begins on October 9.
The Proteas had initially planned to reduce their extended squad, but have instead opted to retain the larger group so their fast bowlers can build workload through the series. Tony de Zorzi is the one casualty, withdrawn after suffering a hamstring injury.
The 17-man squad
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Marques Ackerman
- David Bedingham
- Corbin Bosch
- Gerald Coetzee
- Tony de Zorzi (withdrawn – hamstring)
- Simon Harmer
- Marco Jansen
- Keshav Maharaj
- Aiden Markram
- Wiaan Mulder
- Senuran Muthusamy
- Anrich Nortje
- Dane Paterson
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ryan Rickelton
- Tristan Stubbs
- Kyle Verreynne
Six pacers, three spinners
The squad composition underlines where South Africa expect the series to be won. Six quicks remain in the group — Kagiso Rabada, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson — giving the hosts enviable pace depth for home conditions.
The spin department is covered by Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, with the coastal venues expected to offer something for both seam and spin across the three Tests in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Depth has become a buzzword in modern Test cricket, and South Africa are putting it into practice. With three Tests in quick succession across different venues, having fresh fast bowlers to rotate — and to bowl long spells in the nets — could prove just as important as the XI that takes the field on day one.
Ackerman in line for debut
Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman remains in the mix and is being considered for the No. 3 spot. The 30-year-old has been in prolific domestic form and could make his Test debut at Kingsmead, adding an intriguing subplot to the series opener.
The Rabada question
All eyes remain on Kagiso Rabada’s fitness. The pace spearhead is recovering from a hamstring injury and the team will delay a final call on his availability for the first Test for as long as possible — read more on Rabada’s race against time.
Keeping six pacers in the squad gives South Africa insurance: even if Rabada is not risked for the opener, the attack retains serious firepower.
What’s next
The first Test starts on Friday at Kingsmead, Durban. With the series forming part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, both sides know a strong start could shape their campaigns — and South Africa’s squad depth suggests they intend to come out swinging.
The decision also reflects the realities of a long home summer. Injuries are inevitable across a Test series, and the Proteas would rather have replacements already embedded in the group than flying in halfway through.
It is a packed period for international cricket — India, meanwhile, are finalising their own squads for the New Zealand tour, where Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s ODI futures remain a major talking point.
