Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of South Africa's three-match ODI series against Australia starting next month and is in a race against time to be fit for the three-Test series against the same opposition, which starts on October 9. Rabada suffered a hamstring injury ten days ago, and has just under six weeks left to recover in time for the first Test of a home summer that includes eight Tests.
While Cricket South Africa (CSA) has not disclosed the exact nature of the injury, it confirmed that Rabada will be out of action for at least the next four-and-a-half weeks. Rabada is also not currently part of the T20I squad that is touring Namibia for a tri-series and three ODIs.
"Kagiso Rabada is currently progressing through the early stages of his rehabilitation from a right hamstring injury under the close supervision of the Cricket South Africa medical team," CSA told Cricinfo.
"He will miss the three-match One-Day International series against Australia, scheduled from 24-30 September. His availability for the three-match Test series against Australia will depend on how he progresses through his rehabilitation, with a decision on his selection to be made closer to the series."
CSA's statement came after doubts emerged over the seriousness of Rabada's injury. South African publication Rapport reported on Sunday that Rabada is likely to miss all three Tests with a grade-three tear, after comments from Allan Donald, Lions' bowling coach.
Donald, a former South Africa bowling coach, does not work with the national team, but is based at Rabada's domestic union in Johannesburg. The Lions were hopeful of using Rabada for the first round of the first-class competition that begins on September 10 but have since learnt he is unavailable. Rabada continues to be monitored by CSA's medical staff, and they have not ruled him out of the Australia Tests.
Still, Rabada's pre-season problems will be a concern for South Africa ahead of a busy season. As their leading red-ball bowler, whose nine wickets played a significant role in their 2025 World Test Championship win against Australia, Rabada is key to their hopes of defending the title, and they will hope he can return at some point in the series.
South Africa will also remember that they beat India in India without Rabada, who missed that series with a rib problem and will look to their wealth of quicks as back-up.
Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen and Corbin Bosch will carry the bulk of the load, assisted by Kwena Maphaka, Dane Paterson and Wiaan Mulder but there could be an opportunity for Anrich Nortje, currently playing in the ETPL, to make a Test comeback.
Nortje is not centrally contracted, as he has not played a Test since March 2023, but he was in line to take the field for South Africa's last home series against Pakistan in early 2025 before injury ruled him out. Gerald Coetzee, who is currently playing for South Africa A against Bangladesh A in an unofficial Test series, could also come into contention.