Kagiso Rabada Ruled Out of Australia ODIs, Doubtful for Test Series
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA — WEB DESK: South Africa pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of next month’s three-match ODI series against Australia because of a right hamstring injury and is facing a race against time to recover for the subsequent Test series beginning on October 9.
Cricket South Africa confirmed that the 31-year-old fast bowler is in the early stages of rehabilitation under the supervision of its medical team. He will miss all three ODIs against Australia, scheduled from September 24 to 30.
CSA has not ruled Rabada out of the Test series, however. The governing body said his availability for the three Tests would depend on his progress during rehabilitation, with a selection decision to be made closer to the series.
That distinction is important amid reports suggesting Rabada could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Rabada Could Face Up to 10 Weeks Out
Former South Africa fast bowler Allan Donald, who works with Rabada as a bowling coach at domestic side Lions, has suggested the injury could keep the pacer out for as long as nine to 10 weeks.
If that recovery estimate proves accurate, Rabada would be unlikely to return in time for the opening Test against Australia in Durban on October 9 and could potentially miss much or all of the series.
However, CSA has not officially confirmed either a Grade 3 tear or the nine-to-10-week recovery period. Its official position remains that Rabada has a right hamstring injury and that his Test availability will be assessed as his rehabilitation progresses.
Reports describing him as definitively ruled out of the entire Test series therefore go beyond what South Africa’s governing body has announced.
Australia ODI Series Begins September 24
South Africa will host Australia in three ODIs before the Test series.
The opening ODI is scheduled for September 24 at Kingsmead in Durban, followed by the second match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on September 27. The third ODI will be played at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on September 30.
Rabada will miss all three.
The teams are then scheduled to play a warm-up match in Potchefstroom on October 3 and 4 before beginning the three-Test series.
The Tests are scheduled as follows: Durban from October 9–13, Gqeberha from October 18–22, and Cape Town from October 27–31.
That leaves Rabada fewer than six weeks from the initial injury period to recover for the first Test.
Major Blow for South Africa’s Test Attack
Rabada’s potential absence would be considerably more significant in the Test series, where he remains one of South Africa’s most influential bowlers.
He has taken 340 wickets at an average of 22.03 in 73 Tests, making him the leading wicket-taker among South Africa’s currently active bowlers.
His record against Australia is particularly strong.
Rabada has claimed wickets at an average of 21.39 across 11 Tests against Australia, marginally better than his already outstanding career average.
His absence would place additional responsibility on South Africa’s other pace options, particularly Marco Jansen, who is currently ranked one position above Rabada in the ICC Test bowling rankings.
The original Express Urdu report also identifies Lungi Ngidi and Corbin Bosch among the bowlers who could shoulder greater responsibility if Rabada is unavailable.
Rabada Dominated Australia at Lord’s
Rabada’s fitness is especially important because of his recent success against Australia.
He played a decisive role when South Africa defeated Australia in the 2025 ICC World Test Championship final at Lord’s, taking nine wickets in the match.
Rabada claimed 5-51 in Australia’s first innings and 4-59 in the second, helping South Africa secure a five-wicket victory and the World Test Championship title.
His performances against Australia extend beyond that final.
During Australia’s 2018 Test tour of South Africa, Rabada took 23 wickets at 19.26, including 11 wickets in the second Test at St George’s Park.
That history makes his fitness one of the biggest selection questions ahead of the upcoming series.
South Africa Have Other Pace Options
South Africa do have alternatives if Rabada cannot recover in time.
Marco Jansen would be expected to assume an even greater new-ball role, while Lungi Ngidi, Gerald Coetzee, Kwena Maphaka and other fast-bowling options could come into consideration.
Coetzee recently returned to competitive red-ball action for South Africa A against Bangladesh A, bowling in both innings and taking four wickets in the match.
Twenty-year-old Maphaka is another emerging option and has been gaining international experience across formats.
South Africa’s pace depth gives selectors alternatives, but replacing Rabada’s experience, strike rate and proven record against Australia would remain difficult.
Fitness Decision Will Come Closer to Tests
For now, CSA is taking a cautious approach.
Rabada is confirmed to be out of the ODI series, but his participation in the Tests remains unresolved.
“His availability for the three-match Test series against Australia will depend on how he progresses through his rehabilitation,” CSA said, adding that a selection decision would be made closer to the series.
That means the most publication-safe status as of August 31 is that Rabada is ruled out of the ODIs but remains doubtful — not officially ruled out — for the Tests.
The first Test begins in Durban on October 9, giving South Africa’s medical team just under six weeks to determine whether its premier fast bowler can recover sufficiently for one of the Proteas’ most important home series of the season.
