South Africa open a three-match one-day international series against Australia in Durban on September 24, with Temba Bavuma back in the 50-over side after a long absence. The series also marks the start of a crucial stretch of ODI cricket that will help shape the Proteas’ plans for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The squad brings back several established names, including Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock. That gives the group a far more experienced look than the side that last played an ODI series, when South Africa faced Namibia.
Bavuma’s Return Brings Extra Weight to the Series
Bavuma said the break from ODI cricket had felt unusually long, and he sounded keen to get back into the rhythm of the format. He also stressed that South Africa want to defend the strong results they have built recently in 50-over cricket.
The captain explained that simply being back on the field with the squad is something he has been looking forward to for a while. For him, the return is as much about the enjoyment of playing as it is about the result.
“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.
“I think, 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.”
World Cup Planning Already Shapes the Next Few Months
South Africa are set to play as many as nine ODIs over the next four months against Australia, Bangladesh and England. Bavuma views that run as one of the clearest stages in the team’s preparation for a home World Cup.
He said the mental shift toward hosting a global tournament at home is already part of the process, even while the immediate task is the Australia series. The aim is to keep building the right habits now so the side is better prepared later.
The captain also made it clear that the basic structure of the team is already taking shape.
- Established core: South Africa already have a strong sense of which players form the base of the ODI side, and that group is unlikely to change dramatically.
- Fresh faces later: New players should still get chances before the cycle ends, especially in the run that finishes with England.
- Key checkpoint: After the England series, the Proteas expect to be much closer to the squad they believe will go into the World Cup.
Head coach Shukri Conrad echoed that view when the squad was announced. He described the Australia series as an important early step in building toward the tournament, while also creating opportunities for players who remain in contention for Bangladesh and England later in the season.
Top-Order Choices and Selection Decisions Under the Spotlight
One of the main selection questions for the series is who will open alongside Quinton de Kock. Bavuma has filled both opening and number three roles for South Africa, and he confirmed that he will bat somewhere in the top three, though the exact slot is still undecided.
Tony de Zorzi is another option at the top of the order, which gives the selectors some flexibility. Aiden Markram’s availability adds another wrinkle, because he is only free for the second and third ODIs.
The bowling group has also changed from recent assignments. Gerald Coetzee is back in the ODI set-up, while Kagiso Rabada misses the series because of injury, although he is hoping to be ready for the Test matches that follow.
- Pace options: Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee.
- Middle-order batting: Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs were selected ahead of Dewald Brevis.
- Spin attack: Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the specialist spinners.
South Africa’s attention is fully on the ODI opener for now, but the Test series that follows is hard to ignore. That three-match contest forms part of the ICC World Test Championship and will be the first meeting between the teams since the WTC Final at Lord’s in 2025, which South Africa won.
Bavuma said the upcoming Tests are already a major talking point inside the camp, even though the team is still in one-day mode. He described the fixture as highly anticipated and said a full-strength meeting between the two sides should produce proper cricket.
“It’s very hard not to find yourself speaking about the Test series, even though you’re within the ODI space,” Bavuma said.
“It’s one that is highly anticipated. Both teams, fully fit, having their best players will allow for a proper game of cricket.”
For now, though, he said the key is to keep that excitement in check and deal with the Test focus when it arrives.
South Africa and Australia Head Into a Busy Tour
The ODI record between the teams shows how closely matched they have been over time. In 113 matches, South Africa lead 57-52, with three ties and one no-result, and they also hold a home record advantage of 28-22.
Here are the full squads and schedule for the tour.
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 is the setting for the opening ODI, and it also hosts the first Test later in the tour. That means the same venue will frame both the start of South Africa’s World Cup build-up and the beginning of the longer red-ball phase.
Before the Tests begin on October 9, South Africa still have a few immediate questions to solve: who opens with de Kock, whether Markram slots back in smoothly for the second ODI in Johannesburg, and if Rabada can recover in time for the first Test. By the end of the England series later in the season, the Proteas should have a far clearer picture of their World Cup group.
Tour Dates and Venues
- First ODI: September 24, Durban
- Second ODI: September 27, Johannesburg
- Third ODI: September 30, Potchefstroom
- First Test: October 9-13, Durban
- Second Test: October 18-22, Gqeberha
- Third Test: October 27-31, Johannesburg
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