South Africa have suffered a big blow ahead of the first Test against Australia. Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the Durban Test starting Friday.

Rabada is still recovering from a hamstring injury he picked up in June. He trained with the team on Thursday but was left out to continue his recovery.

Captain Temba Bavuma said the team took a careful route. They hope Rabada will be fit for the second Test in Gqeberha.

South Africa will play two spinners at Kingsmead. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer both made the side. The ground is known to help spin later in the game.

Anrich Nortje returns to the Test side. It is his first Test since March 2023. He will lead the pace attack with Marco Jansen.

The XI is: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Anrich Nortje. Lungi Ngidi is also out with a hamstring problem.