SA vs AUS, 1st Test: Nortje returns the pace as South Africa face Rabada-less Australia in Durban

Temba Bavuma of South Africa watches before Day 3 of the ICC WTC final match between South Africa and Australia at Lords Cricket Ground on June 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo/Getty Images) WTC champions South Africa take on current World Test Championship points table leaders Australia in Durban on Friday, with the first Test marking the return of the rivalry to South Africa for the first time since the controversial ‘Sandpapergate’ tour in 2017/18.The 2017/18 series was marked by the Australians being caught using sandpaper to change the condition of the ball. It was also the first time South Africa had beaten Australia in a home Test series in 48 years.South Africa defeated Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in London last year, but will enter the series with a somewhat inexperienced batting line-up and a depleted fast bowling attack. Coach Shukri Conrad described hamstring injuries affecting his fast bowlers as a “pandemic”.Star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will miss the first Test at Kingsmead as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said Rabada, who took nine wickets as South Africa beat Australia in last year’s WTC final at Lord’s, will have more time to recover.However, Anrich Nortje will return for his first Test since 2023. Bavuma welcomed the return of the 32-year-old, calling him an “X-Factor” player.“There aren’t many guys around bowling over 150km/h,” Bavuma said in his pre-match press conference.Nortje has had a history of injuries, including stress fractures in his back, but has been working on his fitness. He played in the European T20 Premier League in the Netherlands and Ireland last month and impressed Bavuma with the pace he showed during South Africa’s week-long Test warm-up.South Africa have picked two specialist left-arm spinners Keshav Maharaj and off-spinner Simon Harmer. Nortje and Marco Jansen will lead the pace of the attack, with all-rounder Wiaan Mulder providing support.While Bavuma announced South Africa’s playing XI, Australia captain Pat Cummins said the visitors would wait until Friday morning to decide on their squad.Cummins said he was “super excited” about the series between what he called the “number one and two teams in the world”.The series kicks off a busy 12-month period for Australia, who will also tour India and England for a Test series.Cummins said Australia had been good at handling the “big moments” but added “we need to get better at the grind”.He did not reveal the likely shape of Australia’s bowling attack or whether left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann would play alongside Nathan Lyon.“They could definitely both play,” Cummins said. “Kuhnny brings something a little different, he spins the ball from right-handers. If we need both spinners, he has done well for us in the past.”Team South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (goalkeeper), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje