Conrad names preliminary Test squad to face Australia

The South Africa Men’s selection panel has named a preliminary 18-player squad for the first Test against Australia, scheduled to take place from 9 to 13 October at Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

Dolphins batter, Marques Ackerman, is the only uncapped player in the squad, earning his maiden Test call-up following an impressive run of form for South Africa ‘A’.

The 30-year-old has scored more than 1,000 runs in his last 10 red-ball appearances for SA ‘A’.

Fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, has also been included as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.

Fellow seamers, Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi, were not considered for selection as they continue their rehabilitation from their respective hamstring injuries.

Gerald Coetzee Anrich Nortje, and Dane Paterson return to the Test setup.

Proteas Men’s head coach, Shukri Conrad, says the extended squad will allow the coaching staff to assess players and conditions before finalising the 15-man group.

“We’ve selected a preliminary squad because we have an extended build-up to the first Test, with the group getting together in Durban on 1 October.

“We’ll have a couple of training days, a two-day intra-squad match and scenario-based training,
which will give us an opportunity to assess the group and conditions before settling on our final 15.

“Having a larger bowling group gives us the flexibility to cover all bases. We have different options across the squad and the next week will give us an opportunity to determine which combinations are best suited to the conditions.”

Conrad added that the Proteas want to give Rabada every opportunity to prove his fitness ahead of the opening Test.

“We also want to give Kagiso every chance of being available for selection for the first Test, and the two-day game will give us a clearer picture of where he is in terms of his match readiness.”

On the batting front, Conrad says the selectors have retained their core group while rewarding Ackerman for his performances with SA ‘A’.

“It’s great to have Marques in the squad. The way he has led the SA ‘A’ side, both as captain and through his performances with the bat, has earned him this opportunity. We’re looking forward to having him in the Test environment,” Conrad said.

Preliminary Proteas Men’s Squad – 1st Test against Australia:

Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson , Kagiso Rabada Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Kyle Verreynne.

SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT – FIRST TEST 🚨

The South Africa Men’s selection panel has today named a preliminary 18-player squad for the first Dafabet Test against Australia, scheduled to take place from 09 – 13 October at the Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.

Hollywoodbets… pic.twitter.com/ZhfnXDl19F

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 28, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari