SA vs AUS: Kagiso Rabada Closing in on Return for Crucial Gqeberha Test

After succumbing to a heavy 214-run defeat in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, against Australia, the hosts are desperate to bounce back. Fortunately for the Proteas, major reinforcements appear to be on the horizon as premier paceman Kagiso Rabada closes in on a return for the second Test at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha.

Rabada was forced to miss the first Test in Durban due to a lingering hamstring injury that he sustained in August during a training session. His absence meant that South Africa went with only two frontline pacers in Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje, with Wiaan Mulder being the pace-bowling all-rounder. The pace attack struggled left, right, and center, and eventually the hosts lost the game by a huge margin.

Kagiso Rabada was omitted from the Durban Test as a precautionary measure 

Following the defeat in Durban, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma provided an encouraging update regarding the 31-year-old right-arm paceman’s recovery status. Temba cleared the air that Kagiso’s exclusion from the opening Test match was a precautionary measure taken by the medical team to grant him ample recovery time for his hamstring injury.

Throughout the opening Test match, Kagiso was there with the squad, hitting the nets and actively bowling to get the better of his injury. Expressing optimism for the pacer’s return, Temba remarked,

“‘KG’ looks good. I think SuperSport kept showing him on the big screen bowling. He’s as bubbly as ever within the changing room. His non-selection was more from a precautionary point of view given the extra couple of days. So he’s got the extra couple of days. We’ll see how he continues to improve. But KG? KG is very good.”

What does Kagiso Rabada bring to the table?

Rabada’s absence in the opening Test was dearly felt. Should South Africa’s medical panel give KG official clearance, his inclusion in the second Test at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha will inject raw pace and striking capability the home side was lacking in the previous Test. Marco Jansen was the only regular Test pacer in the last game, as Anrich Nortje also made a return to the format after 2023. Nortje looked good, but his sharpness will be on display along with Rabada in the next Test match.

Having not played competitive international cricket since May 2026, a fully fit Rabada gives South Africa the firepower needed to challenge Australia’s top order in windy, seam-friendly Gqeberha conditions.

There shouldn’t be any selection dilemma if Rabada returns in the next Test match. He should lead the pace attack from the front and form a pairing alongside Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, and Wiaan Mulder. The Proteas went for two frontline spinners in the last game, but if Rabada is back, Simon Harmer could be the one making way for the returning paceman.