Proteas Lose Fast Bowler Ahead of Crucial Australia Test in Cape Town
- South Africa have been forced to reconsider their bowling options before a crucial home Test against Australia
- The Proteas will head to Cape Town without one of their pace bowlers after an injury setback in Gqeberha
- The series is finely poised, with the final encounter offering both teams a chance to claim a decisive victory
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South Africa have suffered an injury setback ahead of the third and final Test against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town, with fast bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out of the series decider. The Proteas have retained a 16-man squad for the match, which starts on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, after their emphatic victory in Gqeberha levelled the three-match series.
Anrich Nortje Ruled Out Of Newlands Test
Nortje sustained a mild groin injury while bowling during the first innings of the second Test at St George’s Park. He left the field after bowling just 3.3 overs and did not return to bowl during the match.
Cricket South Africa confirmed the setback in its squad announcement on Saturday, 24 October. The statement said:
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“Fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the Test due to a mild groin injury.”
Scans conducted on Thursday helped establish the extent of the injury. No replacement has been named for the final Test.
Proteas have several bowling options
Captain Temba Bavuma will lead the unchanged 16-man squad, excluding Nortje. Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson are among the available pace-bowling options, while spinner Keshav Maharaj also remains in contention for selection.
The squad includes David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Simon Harmer, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne.
Australia Test series goes down to the wire
Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha on Thursday, 22 October.
The series is level at 1-1. The deciding Test runs from Tuesday, 27 October, to Saturday, 31 October, with play scheduled to begin at 10:30 at Newlands Cricket Ground.
Nortje’s absence leaves South Africa needing to settle on their bowling combination before the series finale.
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Temba Bavuma explains his viral reaction during Proteas victory
Briefly News previously reported that Temba Bavuma had explained his unexpected reaction during Steve Smith’s dismissal in South Africa’s victory over Australia in Gqeberha.
The Proteas captain admitted that nerves got the better of him during the tense moment, while also praising Kagiso Rabada’s influence on the team.
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Source: Briefly News
