Bavuma Backs Fill-In Pacers as Injuries Hit South Africa Before Australia ODIs
The short version
- Rabada, Ngidi, Maphaka and Baartman out with hamstring injuries; Burger sidelined by a back problem
- Three-match ODI series against Australia starts Thursday in Durban
- Replacement pacemen have 72 ODIs between them
- South Africa won all three of their ODIs in 2026, against Namibia
- England series in January 2027 seen as a World Cup squad preview
Five frontline quicks are sidelined as South Africa prepare to host Australia in a three-match ODI series beginning Thursday in Durban.
South Africa enter this week's one-day international series against Australia without several key fast bowlers. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Kwena Maphaka and Ottneil Baartman are all sidelined by hamstring problems, while a back issue has ruled out Nandre Burger.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, in comments carried by Reuters, captain Temba Bavuma said the side would have to work cleverly with the seam options still available to him, particularly when it comes to handling bowlers' workloads across the three matches, which open in Durban on Thursday.
The replacements available are short on ODI experience. Lizaad Williams, Marco and Duan Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Nqobani Mokoena have a combined total of just 72 appearances in the format.
Bavuma noted that hostile home pace bowling has long been central to South Africa's identity, and he wants touring sides to keep expecting a stern test from the country's quicks.
South Africa have played only three ODIs in 2026, sweeping Namibia earlier this month with a weakened lineup. With the 2027 World Cup set to be played on home soil, Bavuma said the core of that squad is largely settled, though new faces may appear before a home series against England in January 2027 offers a closer preview of the final World Cup group.
