South Africa name preliminary squad for first Australia Test

Kagiso Rabada has been named in South Africa's 18-member preliminary squad for the first Australia Test, which will begin on 9 October. The series will be important for both sides in their quest to feature in the ICC World Test Championship 2027 Final.

Rabada continues to recover from a right hamstring injury, which has kept him on the sidelines, including the ongoing ODI series between South Africa and Australia.

On Nortje's return to the Test setup, Conrad stated that the conversation for the 32-year-old's return to the longest format had been ongoing.

"During the ICC Men's T20 World Cup (2026), Anrich (Nortje) indicated that he still wanted to be available for all formats. It was about how we were going to monitor his fitness. So it's a great opportunity to get Anrich involved as soon as possible, being able to assess exactly where he is. Great to have someone of his caliber and pace available to us. We'll see how that goes, we'll monitor him for a week, and make decisions based on that."

Given that this will be Anrich Nortje's first first-class game since his last Test in 2023, there will be questions around his capability to go through the rigours of Test cricket.

Conrad backed Nortje's preparations for the longest format, but added that the team management would take on a call on the format best-suited for his international return, at a later date.

"He's as pedantic and as professional as they come. I've got spreadsheets and details detailing all of the works that he has done. Obviously, the intensity and loads at which international cricket is played, we've to match up to them.

"I'm very comfortable that he's done all the necessary work. But we've got a long summer of Test matches and ODIs, and we've got to see if a Test match is the best way to re-introduce him to the international fold or earmark something else. But I'm very happy with all the work Anrich has put it, and he has kept us in the loop."

South Africa have backed their core group in all the departments in their squad, including batting, with Marques Ackerman the only uncapped player in the unit. Ackerman impressed in recent outings for South Africa 'A' and has amassed more than 1000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances for the A team at an average of 82.92, including four hundreds and a career-best 256 against Bangladesh 'A' in August.

Conrad backed Ackerman to be an important asset for the side in the Test squad.

"It’s great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA ‘A’ side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We’re looking forward to having him in the Test environment."

South Africa's rising star Dewald Brevis isn't a part of the Test squad, after having been absent from the ODI series against Australia.

Discussing the young batter, who was the Player of the Series during South Africa's T20I tri-series win in Namibia, Conrad stated that Brevis will be in action later in the summer but still had some time before he could become a Test regular.

"Long summer, so he'll feature at some stage. But (with respect to the upcoming series), to be bluntly honest, I don't think he's one of the best Test match batters for us. We saw a glimpse of Dewald against Pakistan last year.

"I think he's more suited to get into the Test setup in the sub-continent, I don't think he's one that we are considering for Test cricket. ODIs, a different story, we'll see him at some stage during the summer."

South Africa have impressed in the starting stages of their home season, having taken an unassailable 2-0 lead over Australia in the ongoing ODI series.

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