South Africa start a three-match one-day international series against Australia in Durban on September 24, and the contest arrives with several experienced names back in the frame. Temba Bavuma returns to the 50-over side for the first time since December 2025, giving the hosts an early chance to settle the shape of their squad before the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Senior Names Return at the Right Time
The Proteas have brought back a strong group for this series, including Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock. That makes this squad look noticeably different from the side that last played ODIs, when South Africa faced Namibia in a three-match contest.
Bavuma said the break from international 50-over cricket had felt unusually long for him personally, but he was eager to get back into the rhythm of the format. He also stressed that the team wants to keep protecting the good results it has produced recently in ODIs.
“There’s a strong desire to look after our ODI record of late and ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward,” Bavuma said.
“For me personally, it’s been a super long break. So, just to be out there again, running around, chasing after the balls with the guys, that’s something that I look forward to.”
Nine ODIs Will Help Define the World Cup Core
South Africa are set to play as many as nine ODIs over the next four months, with Australia, Bangladesh and England all on the schedule. Bavuma views that stretch as a major part of the team’s build-up to a home World Cup, both in cricketing terms and in the way the squad handles the pressure of playing on home soil.
He made it clear that the main core of the side is already fairly well established. At the same time, he expects there to be chances for fresh faces before the cycle ends.
- Core group: Bavuma believes the central group of players is already known and unlikely to change much.
- New opportunities: He expects some new names to come through once the cycle reaches its later stages.
- Timeline: He feels the squad picture will be much clearer after the England series.
Head coach Shukri Conrad gave a similar message when the group was announced. He described the Australia series as an important step in shaping the World Cup squad and said the matches against Bangladesh and England would also help identify players who are firmly in contention.
Opening the Innings Remains Unsettled
One of the main selection questions is who will open alongside Quinton de Kock. Bavuma has spent time both at the top and in the number three role, and he confirmed that he will remain in the top three, although his exact batting position is still to be finalised.
Tony de Zorzi is another option because he has also been used in both of those roles for South Africa. Aiden Markram’s availability adds another layer of complexity, since he is only available for the second and third ODIs.
That leaves the management with some flexibility, but also a little less certainty than they would probably like heading into the opening match in Durban.
Coetzee Returns, While Rabada and Brevis Miss Out
Gerald Coetzee has been recalled to the ODI side, giving South Africa another pace option for the series. By contrast, Kagiso Rabada is unavailable because of injury, although he is still hoping to recover in time for the Test matches that follow.
With Rabada absent, the fast-bowling group for the ODIs includes Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Coetzee. The selection panel also left out Dewald Brevis, preferring Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs in the middle order.
South Africa’s spin options come from Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj, who are the two specialist slow bowlers in the squad.
Tests Soon Follow in a Bigger Rematch
Even with the ODI series at the centre of attention, it is difficult to ignore what comes next. The three-Test series, which counts toward the ICC World Test Championship, will be the first time South Africa and Australia have met in Tests since the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s, where the Proteas came out on top.
Bavuma admitted that conversations about the Tests are already creeping in, even though the team is still focused on the 50-over format. He described the upcoming red-ball series as highly anticipated, especially with both sides expected to field their best available players.
For now, though, the captain says the challenge is to keep those thoughts in the background until the time comes to deal with them properly.
Fixtures and Tour Details
The tour begins in Durban and then moves through Johannesburg and Potchefstroom for the ODIs before returning to Durban for the first Test. The full schedule gives South Africa a short but important window to settle combinations and test depth before the longer red-ball phase begins.
- First ODI: September 24 in Durban
- Second ODI: September 27 in Johannesburg
- Third ODI: September 30 in Potchefstroom
- First Test: October 9 to 13 in Durban
- Second Test: October 18 to 22 in Gqeberha
- Third Test: October 27 to 31 in Johannesburg
The two sides have played 113 ODIs in total, with South Africa leading 57-52. There have also been three ties and one no-result, while the Proteas hold a 28-22 advantage in home matches.
Squads Named for the Series
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), 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, 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, Adam Zampa.
Durban will host both the opening ODI and the first Test, making it the key starting point for the whole tour. South Africa still have some decisions to make, including de Kock’s opening partner and Rabada’s fitness, but by the end of the England series they should have a much clearer picture of the squad they want for a home World Cup.
