South Africa have named a strong squad for the first Test against Australia, with fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson all returning. The uncapped Dolphins batter Marques Ackerman has earned a maiden call-up after a prolific domestic season.

Ackerman, who has scored 5,986 first-class runs at an average of 48.66 with 16 centuries, comes in at the expense of Dewald Brevis. Captain Temba Bavuma leads an 18-man squad that also includes David Bedingham, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj.

The three-match series, part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, begins on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban. The second Test is at St George's Park in Gqeberha from October 18, with the finale at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27.

South Africa, the reigning World Test champions after beating Australia by five wickets in the 2025 final at Lord's, start as slight favourites at home. Coach Shukri Conrad has said his side "respect" Australia but believe they exposed vulnerabilities in the champions' line-up last year.