Kagiso Rabada, South Africa’s premier fast bowler, is currently working on regaining full fitness ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia, with only two days remaining before the first Test in Durban. At Kingsmead, Rabada participated in an extended training session, gradually building up his bowling rhythm as the team management keeps his participation decision open until the last moment.
Rabada initially missed the early warm-ups and standard practice drills. Instead, the likes of Anrich Nortje—unseen in Test cricket for over three years—Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch took to the nets under the observation of head coach Shukri Conrad and bowling coach Piet Botha.
After some delay, Rabada started his fitness exercises, running between cones mimicking a fitness evaluation. Following ample stretching, he transitioned to the practice pitch, observing Dane Paterson and Gerald Coetzee. He then moved to another pitch to begin his bowling, with Botha taking up makeshift wicketkeeping duties.
Rabada started his spell with a modest two-step run-up, later extending it to nine steps with a full follow-through. His delivery speed was visibly below match velocity—understandable as he has not featured in competitive cricket since the IPL concluded in May, compounded by a significant injury layoff.
His Test absence dates back to South Africa’s tour of Pakistan last October, having missed out on the India series due to a rib injury. Rabada’s drive to contribute to this segment of the World Test Championship [WTC] will be strong, especially after claiming nine wickets in the WTC final last June. Previously hailed as South Africa’s standout star in their champion lineup, Rabada is still perceived as the team’s linchpin, with remarks overheard at practice highlighting his recognition within Australia.
South African off-spinner Simon Harmer addressed the media, stating, “Everybody wants him to play. The spectators, us in the change room, the Australians. I obviously don’t know exactly where he’s at… He’s proved season in, season out that he’s a world-class player and he’s only going to make our team better.”
While Rabada’s inclusion would bolster the lineup, Harmer hinted at a cautious approach, keeping in mind the demanding schedule ahead with eight home Tests until January and ten matches in this WTC cycle. “I really hope that he does get in for the first Test, but there’s a lot of cricket this summer and I don’t think we want to risk a short-term game for long-term damage,” Harmer added.
The remainder of the preliminary squad, excluding Tony de Zorzi due to a hamstring injury, stays intact. However, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka, and Ottneil Baartman are absent from the series, sidelined by similar hamstring issues.
