# Proteas prepare for Australia Test clash after Rabada injury

> South Africa's Proteas face Australia in Test series after Kagiso Rabada ruled out.
- Title: Proteas prepare for Australia Test clash after Rabada injury
- Summary: South Africa's Proteas face Australia in Test series after Kagiso Rabada ruled out. South Africa's Proteas will play Australia in Durban on 9 October after…
- Keywords: kagiso rabada, proteas, australia, test match, hamstring injury, seam bowling, wtc standings, south africa, test cricket, nfl, news, politics
- Source: Daily Maverick — https://dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-10-08-kagiso-rabada-ruled-out-of-first-test-tussle-against-australia
- Author: Yanga Sibembe
- Published: 2026-10-08T14:41:44+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kagiso rabada, proteas, australia, test match, hamstring injury, seam bowling, wtc standings, south africa, test cricket, nfl, news, politics
## Rabada ruled out of Test match
Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the Proteas’ first Test tussle with Australia in Durban on Friday, 9 October, as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury.
## Ngidi also injured
Lungi Ngidi was already ruled out of the first match of the Test tussle, also with a hamstring injury.
## Nortje set to play
Veteran fast bowler Anrich Nortje will be included in the starting 11 after being away for almost four years.
## Two spinners added
The Proteas have also opted for a two spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj.
## Confidence in bowling
What we are blessed with is that whatever combination of bowlers we will go with can take 20 wickets.
## Proteas' Test series
The first of three matches is set to be played in Durban from 9 October, and it will be a rare outing for the South Africans in the longest cricket format.
## Historic India win
The last time the Proteas were in Test action was almost a year ago, when they bamboozled India by 408 runs in Guwahati.
## WTC standings
South Africa currently sit second on the log table, trailing the Australians with a 75% success rate from three victories.
## Key takeaway

South Africa's Proteas will play Australia in Durban on 9 October after Kagiso Rabada's hamstring injury rules him out of first Test match.