Star South African quick Kagiso Rabada in line to play in Test series against Australia

Star South African quick Kagiso Rabada has been named in an extended Proteas squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

The fast bowler has been in a race against time to recover from a hamstring tear sustained less than six weeks ago during training.

He was quickly ruled out of the ongoing ODI series between the two nations, but South Africa is hopeful he can play a role in the three-Test contest beginning on October 9.

It is believed a further call will be made on Rabada after a practise game next week.

There is plenty of cover in the squad if he doesn’t get up for the series with seven fast bowlers named.

Lungi Ngidi and young sensation Kwena Maphaka are not involved with their own hamstring concerns.

It leaves fast bowler Anrich Nortje, who is no longer centrally contracted to CSA, in line to play his first Test since March 2023 after a string of injuries.

Gerald Coetzee, who made an international comeback from injury in the first ODI against Australia last week, could also play his first red-ball match for the Proteas since 2024.

South Africa’s other fast-bowling options include Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson, who were all part of the World Test Final squad that toppled the Aussies at The Oval last year.

“Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases. We have different options across the squad and the next week will give us an opportunity to determine which combinations are best suited to the conditions,” head coach Shukri Conrad said in a statement.

“We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test, and the two-day game will give us a clearer picture of where he is in terms of his match readiness.”

The series could also see Marques Ackerman debut with the top-order batter boasting more than 1000 runs for South Africa A.