South Africa has confirmed its squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, marking the start of their home season. Regular captain Temba Bavuma returns to lead the team, joined by key players David Miller and Quinton de Kock. The series is set to begin on September 24 in Durban, as the team prepares for the ODI World Cup 2027.
The Proteas have named a 16-member squad, which was as close to their available full strength as possible. The squad sees the return of Gerald Coetzee, who last played an ODI in the 2023 World Cup, as he fills in the void left by Kagiso Rabada, who is out of the ODIs and racing to be fit for the Tests due to his hamstring injury.
Both Miller and de Kock are not currently centrally contracted but played in the T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Conrad stated that the series is crucial for their plans for the ODI World Cup 2027.
“It’s great to see Gerald back in the fold and, by all accounts, he’s been bowling nice and quickly,” South Africa’s head coach Shukri Conrad said in a statement. “Everybody who is not here or in the A side will be playing the first round of first-class cricket,” Conrad said. “With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament, while also giving those players who are in the frame opportunities when we face Bangladesh and England later in the season,” Conrad said.
Coetzee has been hampered by injuries in the last few years, but his return gives a shot in the arm to the Proteas side. “KG is out of the ODIs, and we are constantly monitoring his rehabilitation. When we sit down to select a Test squad, we will make an informed decision. “And everyone not in the ODI squad will play in the second round. That includes Dewald. He competes for a spot in the middle-order, and there he competes with Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs and David Miller. He will definitely get a crack at ODIs in the Bangladesh series. “We’ve got six ODIs before we play England. The England squad will be a shadow squad for the World Cup. We’ve got a few guys vying for space at the top in terms of Aiden, Ricks, Quinny and Tony. It’s just about making sure everyone gets a fair crack at it.
He is tracking nicely, going on reports from physios,” Conrad said during a press conference on Monday.
