South Africa’s leading fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the opening Test against Australia, scheduled to begin in Durban, marking the first meeting between the two sides in a Test match on South African soil since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Rabada, 31, has not played competitive cricket since the Indian Premier League in May due to a hamstring injury sustained during training in June.
Although Rabada participated in an intra-squad practice match over the weekend, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma confirmed that the fast bowler would not be risked for the Test, opting for a more cautious approach to preserve his fitness. Bavuma indicated the decision was difficult but aimed at allowing Rabada extra recovery time, with the bowler expected to be considered for the second Test in Gqeberha beginning on October 18.
In Rabada’s absence, South Africa has selected two spinners, Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, a combination that has some prior experience bowling together in Test conditions, albeit in subcontinental conditions during a match in India in November 2025. The team also welcomes back pace bowler Anrich Nortje, who has not played Test cricket for over three years but brings raw pace to the attack alongside seamers Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder. Bavuma and the coaching staff believe the coastal Durban wickets will be conducive to the spin options chosen.
South Africa's batting order includes Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton as openers, with Durham and Western Province batter David Bedingham slated to bat at number four. Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, and wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne, who recently announced his departure from Nottinghamshire, complete the top seven lineup.
The Test series has rekindled public interest in the 2018 ball-tampering incident known colloquially as “Sandpapergate,” when Australian player Cameron Bancroft was caught using sandpaper on the ball, resulting in a nine-month ban. Then-captain Steve Smith and David Warner received year-long suspensions after Cricket Australia’s investigation concluded Warner orchestrated the plan to alter the condition of the ball and Smith failed to stop it. Since the scandal, there has been ongoing debate over how many team members were aware of the tampering plot.
Former Australia opener Usman Khawaja, set to publish an autobiography next month, is expected to provide additional insights into the episode. Prior to Australia’s recent series against Bangladesh, Khawaja requested private discussions with current Australian captain Pat Cummins and Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg. Reports indicate Khawaja and Cummins met in Brisbane to talk informally.
Cummins, part of the Australian squad at the time of the scandal, has consistently denied any prior knowledge of the ball-tampering plan. Nevertheless, some former players and commentators have expressed skepticism that none of the pace bowlers were informed, given their direct involvement with assessing the ball’s condition and state during matches.
The upcoming Test series in South Africa thereby carries heightened significance, not only as a sporting contest but also as a reminder of a controversial episode that continues to influence the relationship between the two cricketing nations.