'There's an aura': South Africa call on KG to bring the heat against Australia
toi
newspoint|18-10-2026
South Africa will have fast bowler Kagiso Rabada back in their side for the second Test against Australia, which begins at St George's Park on Sunday, captain Temba Bavuma said.
Rabada missed the first Test in Durban, where South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat, as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury. He has since trained with the team and is now ready to return.
With rain forecast for the first two days, Bavuma and Australia captain Pat Cummins said they would wait until Sunday to finalise their playing XIs. However, Bavuma indicated that Rabada was set to feature, saying the pacer was "raring to go".
The South African captain also highlighted Rabada's record against Australia. The fast bowler has taken 58 wickets in 11 Tests against them at an average of 21.39. His tally includes nine wickets in South Africa's World Test Championship final win at Lord's in 2025 and 11 wickets in the corresponding match during the 2017/18 series, when South Africa bounced back after losing the opening Test in Durban.
"The bowlers feed massively off him," said Bavuma. "There's an aura and a lot of belief in KG (Rabada) and that rubs off on the other players."
South Africa are also looking to make changes to their batting line-up after struggling with the bat in Durban. Bavuma indicated that Matthew Breetzke and uncapped batter Marques Ackerman would both play as the hosts look to spend more time at the crease.
"The first innings was where we fell short," he said. "To concede a lead like that on a wicket like that was rather criminal."
For Australia, Cummins said Matt Renshaw was set to continue at number five after scoring 190 and 82 in Durban to earn the man-of-the-match award.
Renshaw usually opens the batting in Test cricket, but Cummins praised him for accepting a different role in the team.
"He just said, 'yep, no worries, whatever the team needs'."
Cummins also confirmed that Cameron Green was not yet ready to return after suffering an abdominal injury during last month's one-day series against South Africa. Josh Inglis, however, was "close" to being available after recovering from a broken finger.
Rabada missed the first Test in Durban, where South Africa suffered a 214-run defeat, as he continued his recovery from a hamstring injury. He has since trained with the team and is now ready to return.
With rain forecast for the first two days, Bavuma and Australia captain Pat Cummins said they would wait until Sunday to finalise their playing XIs. However, Bavuma indicated that Rabada was set to feature, saying the pacer was "raring to go".
The South African captain also highlighted Rabada's record against Australia. The fast bowler has taken 58 wickets in 11 Tests against them at an average of 21.39. His tally includes nine wickets in South Africa's World Test Championship final win at Lord's in 2025 and 11 wickets in the corresponding match during the 2017/18 series, when South Africa bounced back after losing the opening Test in Durban.
"The bowlers feed massively off him," said Bavuma. "There's an aura and a lot of belief in KG (Rabada) and that rubs off on the other players."
South Africa are also looking to make changes to their batting line-up after struggling with the bat in Durban. Bavuma indicated that Matthew Breetzke and uncapped batter Marques Ackerman would both play as the hosts look to spend more time at the crease.
"The first innings was where we fell short," he said. "To concede a lead like that on a wicket like that was rather criminal."
For Australia, Cummins said Matt Renshaw was set to continue at number five after scoring 190 and 82 in Durban to earn the man-of-the-match award.
Renshaw usually opens the batting in Test cricket, but Cummins praised him for accepting a different role in the team.
"He just said, 'yep, no worries, whatever the team needs'."
Cummins also confirmed that Cameron Green was not yet ready to return after suffering an abdominal injury during last month's one-day series against South Africa. Josh Inglis, however, was "close" to being available after recovering from a broken finger.
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