South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje for the third Test against Australia, which begins on Tuesday, October 27, at Newlands in Cape Town. A groin injury picked up in Gqeberha has ruled him out. The selectors have named a 16-man squad without adding a replacement.
Match and Squad Snapshot
The series finale starts at Newlands Cricket Ground on October 27. South Africa head into it after beating Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test.
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Match | Third Test, South Africa vs Australia |
| Venue | Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town |
| Start date | October 27 |
| Squad size | 16 players |
| Captain | Temba Bavuma |
| Unavailable | Anrich Nortje (groin injury) |
| Replacement added | None |
| Second Test result | South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs |
How the Injury Happened
Nortje was hurt while bowling in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha. Scans confirmed the injury and ruled him out of the series finale. The injury is described as mild, but it still removes a key member of the pace attack.
South Africa still completed the innings win without him. That result shows the remaining bowlers could carry the workload, though a five-day Test at Newlands will demand depth.
Bavuma on the Risk
Captain Temba Bavuma acknowledged the team took a calculated risk by playing Nortje in back-to-back Tests. He said the pacer adds an extra dimension to the attack and that the team must take responsibility for that decision.
Bavuma said the squad has options and that whoever is picked will be confident of fitting the best XI for Cape Town conditions.
Pace Options for Newlands
With no replacement named, the selectors must choose from the existing squad. The reports point to a small group of candidates.
| Bowler | Status |
|---|
| Corbin Bosch | In squad, possible replacement |
| Gerald Coetzee | In squad, possible replacement |
| Dane Paterson | In squad, named by Bavuma as an option |
| Senuran Muthusamy | In squad, named by Bavuma as an option |
South Africa have not confirmed their combination. Bavuma indicated the final call will come after the team assesses conditions in Cape Town.
Seam Versus Spin Balance
The decision is partly about balance. A four-man seam attack would open a place for Bosch, Coetzee or Paterson. A change in the spin combination is also possible if the pitch calls for it.
The squad includes spinners Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy, which gives the management flexibility.
The Full South Africa Squad
The 16 players named for the third Test are listed below.
| No. | Player |
|---|
| 1 | Temba Bavuma (c) |
| 2 | Marques Ackerman |
| 3 | David Bedingham |
| 4 | Corbin Bosch |
| 5 | Matthew Breetzke |
| 6 | Gerald Coetzee |
| 7 | Simon Harmer |
| 8 | Marco Jansen |
| 9 | Keshav Maharaj |
| 10 | Aiden Markram |
| 11 | Wiaan Mulder |
| 12 | Senuran Muthusamy |
| 13 | Dane Paterson |
| 14 | Kagiso Rabada |
| 15 | Ryan Rickelton |
| 16 | Kyle Verreynne |
Approach After the Rain Delays
Bavuma also spoke about how the team handled rain interruptions in Gqeberha. He said the batting plan was to extend the innings one hour at a time, because each hour becomes a session and keeps the opposition in the field.
He said the team then became more ruthless in the second innings when the opportunity arrived. By his description, the approach is to wear the opposition down and then press the advantage.
What to Watch in Cape Town
The key variable is how the replacement for Nortje fits the attack. The team will also need to maintain the discipline that produced the innings victory.
The final XI will be confirmed closer to the toss on October 27, and the pace selection will be the main talking point.