Kagiso Rabada Injury Update: Shukri Conrad Sends Clear Message Ahead of Australia Tests
- Kagiso Rabada’s possible return has become a major talking point as the Proteas prepare for a demanding Test series against Australia
- Shukri Conrad has opened up about the careful approach being taken as South Africa weigh up a crucial decision over their star fast bowler
- With several Proteas quicks dealing with injuries, the team’s plans for the Australia series have taken an unexpected turn behind the scenes
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Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has made it clear that Kagiso Rabada will not be rushed back for the Test series against Australia, despite the fast bowler being included in South Africa’s preliminary squad.
Rabada is still recovering from a hamstring injury and was named in the 18-man squad announced on Monday, 28 September. The first Test begins at Kingsmead in Durban on 9 October.
Speaking to IOL Sport, Conrad explained that Rabada’s fitness will be assessed beyond simply determining whether the injury has healed.
“There are some clever people around who are a lot smarter than I am when it comes to science and data and all the rest of it.
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“So obviously, we will take all of those things into account: how he’s feeling, whether he’s uninjured, which is the starting point,” Conrad said.
Proteas coach outlines Rabada fitness test
Conrad added that Rabada must also demonstrate that he can handle the demands of Test cricket.
“But also, will he be able to match the intensity that’s required of a Test match? So we’ll give it as much time as humanly possible,” he said.
The coach also used an unusual comparison when discussing his prized fast bowler, saying:
“He’s like that most beautiful woman that you see — they’re worth waiting for.”
Conrad stressed that the decision would not be driven by desperation.
“But we also don’t ever want to make a call based on desperation. So we’ll be, again, smart about it,” he said.
Source: Twitter
South Africa facing pace bowling injury crisis
Rabada is not the only Proteas quick dealing with a hamstring problem. Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka are also unavailable because of injuries.
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Conrad described the situation as “a bit of a crisis” and said discussions were already taking place to prevent a repeat.
South Africa have responded by recalling Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson. Nortje has not played Test cricket since March 2023, while Coetzee’s last Test appearance came against Sri Lanka in November 2024.
The Australia series runs from 9 to 31 October, with Tests also scheduled for Gqeberha and Cape Town.
The immediate question is whether Rabada can prove his fitness in time for Durban — and Conrad’s message suggests the Proteas will prioritise his readiness over rushing him into the side.
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Briefly News previously reported that Hansie Cronje’s family marked what would have been the late Proteas captain’s 57th birthday with deeply personal tributes.
More than two decades after his death, his siblings shared memories that offered a different glimpse of the former cricket star away from the controversy surrounding his career.
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Source: Briefly News
