South Africa is poised to welcome back leading bowler Kagiso Rabada for the second Test against Australia, which begins Sunday in Gqeberha, as the Proteas seek to bounce back from a heavy defeat in the series opener at Kingsmead. Rabada, ranked seventh among Test bowlers worldwide with 340 wickets, had been sidelined due to a significant hamstring injury sustained during the off-season, leaving his participation uncertain. However, South African captain Temba Bavuma indicated the decision to omit Rabada from the first Test was cautious, aiming to allow further recovery time, and suggested his inclusion is likely if his progress continues.
South Africa endured a 214-run loss in the opening match, marking Bavuma’s first defeat as Test captain. The team’s choice to field two specialist spin bowlers—Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer—came under scrutiny, with Bavuma acknowledging that the pitch conditions did not favor their strategy. He noted that the spinners failed to pose a significant challenge to the Australian batting lineup.
The three-match series holds high stakes for South Africa, which must claim victories in the remaining two Tests in Gqeberha and Cape Town to secure the series after falling behind early. This situation echoes their 2018 campaign, where the Proteas rebounded after losing the first match in Durban to win the subsequent three fixtures.
On the Australian side, the batting order remains fluid amid fitness concerns for key players. Queensland batsman Matt Renshaw, who was moved to No. 5 in the first Test and delivered scores of 192 and 80, remains a candidate to return to his usual opening position. Australian captain Pat Cummins said the team is considering the best formation based on conditions and available personnel. The fitness of allrounder Cameron Green (abdominal strain) and wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis (finger injury) continues to be assessed ahead of the Test, both having been sidelined since the preceding one-day international series.
Coach Andrew McDonald confirmed that Green’s rehabilitation is progressing, though a return in the second Test is not guaranteed. Inglis has begun light training, and the team is monitoring his recovery before making selection decisions. McDonald also explained that Renshaw’s shift down the order was largely driven by the absences of Green and Inglis, along with a strategic focus on Renshaw’s proficiency against spin bowling. He stressed the team remains open-minded about batting arrangements, particularly given the different pitch conditions expected at Gqeberha.
Australia’s comparatively settled middle order includes Marnus Labuschagne at No. 3, Steve Smith at No. 4, and established lower-order batsmen at six and seven, while the top order configuration offers flexibility among players such as Renshaw, Nic Maddinson, and Travis Head. Cummins highlighted the value of this adaptability, noting the expanded options allow adjustments based on conditions and form. The Australian squad is scheduled to train Thursday afternoon ahead of the second Test, with final team announcements expected following fitness assessments.