Rabada ruled out of first Australia Test, Nortje included in XI

Kagiso Rabada hasn't recovered from a hamstring injury in time to play in the first Test at Kingsmead against Australia, which starts on October 9th.

Rabada, South Africa's spearhead, was replaced by Anrich Nortje, who has chosen to focus on his white-ball career and hasn't played a Test or first-class match in more than three and a half years.

During a press conference on Thursday, Temba Bavuma stated, "It wasn't an easy decision." "We went the conservative route to give him a couple more days to get as close to 100% fitness as possible,"

One more change from the team that beat Australia by five wickets in the WTC final at Lord's in June of last year is reflected in the XI that Bavuma has announced. Simon Harmer takes the place of Lungi Ngidi, who is also restricted.

South Africa XI for the 1st Test against Australia: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.