Cricket South Africa has named a preliminary 18-player squad for the upcoming first test against Australia, which is set to begin in October.

Rabada, who is recovering from a hamstring injury during winter training and his availability for the first test assessed after an intra-squad match next week.

We will give it (final decision on Rabada) as much time as humanly possible, but we also don’t want to take a call based on desperation,” said South Africa head coach Shukri Conrad.

“Based on how the three-day match plays out, a day or two after that, I reckon we will make a call.”

Meanwhile, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka who also deals with hamstring injury, have not been considered for selection.

On the other hand, Anrich Nortje, who played his last test in March 2023, has been included in the squad for the test series.

“Anrich is as pedantic and professional as they come. He has got spreadsheets that detail all of the work that he has done. I’m very comfortable that he has done all the necessary work,” said Conrad.

“We’ve just got to look at the intensity that it’s done in. We’ve got to look at whether a Test match is the best introduction back to the international fold.”

Dolphins batter Marques Ackermann is the only uncapped player in the group, rewarded with his first test call-up after a strong-run of form for South Africa A.

Temba Bavuma will be captained the side, which includes experienced campaigners like David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harper, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.

“On the batting front, we’ve stuck with our core group,” said Shukri Conrad. “It’s great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA A side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We’re looking forward to having him in the Test environment.”

“It’s a long summer so I am sure we will see (Brevis) at some stage. The blunt answer is that I don’t think he is one of the best batters in Test cricket for us,” added Shukri Conrad.

“I think there are other guys for us in South African conditions. Brevis is probably more suited to us playing in Test cricket in the subcontinent.”

The test series will be part of the WTC 2025-27 cycle. Both Australia and South Africa are in the top two position of the WTC 2025-27 points table. Currently the sides are involved in a three match ODI series where the hosts secured the series 2-0 with final game to be played.

The first match test series will be played between October 09 and 13 at Kingsmead, Durban.

South Africa Squad for Australia Tests: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne