South Africa’s top pace duo, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen, are contending with fitness challenges as the second Test against Australia progresses at Newlands. With Jansen wrestling back stiffness and Rabada suffering from stomach cramps, both had to leave the field temporarily on day two, disrupting South Africa’s bowling plans.
Despite their difficulties, the pair returned for the third session, taking up the new ball. Rabada, however, had to exit once more as the day neared its end. South Africa’s bowling coach, Piet Botha, shared, “He’s got some stomach cramps, so he came off the field. I don’t know if it’s related to last week. It’s just something that came about today. He wasn’t at his best today, so hopefully he’ll recover soon. We’re not quite sure what it is yet.”
Rabada has recently come back to Test cricket after a year out due to a serious hamstring injury. His return at St George’s Park saw him find form, but his current pace has dropped slightly from last week’s performances, where he hit speeds over 150kph. In this Test, however, his pace has dipped, and he’s yet to claim a wicket, but the severity of his illness remains uncertain.
Jansen’s issues appear less severe. Though he initially stayed off the field post-tea, he rejoined the action shortly after. He bowled 14 overs that day, taking 2 for 37. Botha noted, “We’re three weeks into the Test season, so you can expect guys to be getting a little bit of a pain here and there because of, maybe, bowling a lot of overs. I don’t think it’s serious at this stage.” Cricket South Africa has confirmed Jansen’s discomfort is not due to any significant injury.
With South Africa’s Test side not having played a match since late last year in India, their workload has been heavy since returning to the format. Their recent demands include asking Australia to follow on in Gqeberha, which led to them bowling almost 150 overs in two days, followed by a short turnaround to Newlands, altering their XI minimally.
Anrich Nortje’s replacement, Gerald Coetzee, who hasn’t featured in Tests for nearly two years, has also faced challenges. Having bowled 14 overs without success, Botha explained, “Gerald is a genuine quick bowler. He’s obviously lacked a bit of cricket for a long time, but we felt that with what Gerald can offer us and with his pace, he can put batters under pressure. He bowled a couple of good bouncers, but he lost his control a little bit between that. It’s probably a little bit of lack of match practice. So hopefully as he plays, he’ll find a bit more control.”
Australia currently have a first-innings lead with six wickets still in hand, placing further pressure on the South African bowlers. As the Test continues, the focus will turn to how Rabada and Jansen manage their conditions and whether South Africa’s bowlers can adjust to Australia’s commanding position.
