South Africa begin their three-match ODI series against Australia in Durban on September 24, and the return of Temba Bavuma gives the hosts an immediate boost. The series is also the first major step in South Africa’s home build-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Senior Names Return for a Key Home Series
Bavuma is back in the 50-over side for the first time since December 2025, and he is joined by several established players who strengthen the squad’s experience. Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock are all included, giving South Africa a far more familiar look than the group that faced Namibia in their previous ODI assignment.
The captain said the break from the format felt unusually long, but he is eager to be back among the group and back in the field. He also stressed that the side want to protect the strong ODI form they have built recently.
Why the Next Nine ODIs Matter
Over the next four months, South Africa could play as many as nine ODIs against Australia, Bangladesh and England. For Bavuma, that stretch is about more than winning individual series; it is the clearest route toward settling the squad for a home World Cup.
He explained that the mental side of preparing for a tournament on home soil is an ongoing process, not a one-off conversation. At the same time, he made it clear that the core of the team is already fairly well defined and is unlikely to change dramatically before the England series closes the cycle.
Head coach Shukri Conrad sounded the same note when the squad was announced, describing the Australia series as an important stage in shaping the group while also giving fringe players a chance later in the season against Bangladesh and England.
Opening Combination Still Needs a Final Call
One of the main selection questions is who will partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order. Bavuma has opened and also batted at number three for South Africa, and he confirmed he will remain inside the top three even though his exact position has not yet been locked in.
Tony de Zorzi gives the selectors another possible option because he has also handled both roles. Markram’s limited availability adds another wrinkle, since he is only in line to play the second and third ODIs.
Coetzee Returns While Rabada Misses Out
Gerald Coetzee has earned a recall to the ODI squad, giving South Africa another pace option for the series. Kagiso Rabada is unavailable because of injury, although he is still hopeful of being fit in time for the Test matches that follow.
With Rabada sidelined, the seam attack includes Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Coetzee. Dewald Brevis was left out, while Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs were selected as the main middle-order batting options. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the two specialist spinners.
The Tests Are Already Looming
Although the ODI series comes first, the three-Test contest that follows is already on everyone’s mind. That match-up, part of the ICC World Test Championship, will be the first time South Africa and Australia meet in Tests since the 2025 final at Lord’s, where South Africa claimed the title.
Bavuma admitted it is difficult not to talk about the Test series while still in one-day mode. He described it as a major occasion, especially if both teams arrive fully fit and able to field their strongest XIs.
For now, though, he wants the squad to keep its focus tight and avoid getting carried away by what is still to come.
Record, Schedule and Squads
The two sides have met in 113 ODIs. South Africa hold the edge overall with 57 wins to Australia’s 52, along with three ties and one abandoned game. On home soil, the Proteas also lead the rivalry 28-22.
The ODI series starts in Durban on September 24, continues in Johannesburg on September 27, and wraps up in Potchefstroom on September 30. The Test series begins in Durban from October 9 to 13, before moving to Gqeberha from October 18 to 22 and then Johannesburg from October 27 to 31.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (captain), Ottneil Baartman, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kwena Maphaka, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs.
Australia: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa.
Durban opens both parts of the tour, so South Africa begin the home season at the same venue where the Test leg also starts. Between now and the first Test, the biggest questions are still the opening partner for de Kock, Markram’s return for the second ODI, and whether Rabada can recover in time for the red-ball series.
