South Africa Proteas ODI Squad vs Australia 2026: Coetzee Recalled, Rabada Injured
The South Africa Men’s selection panel has announced a 16-player squad for the upcoming three-match Dafabet One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, running from 24 to 30 September.
Temba Bavuma will captain the side, which features the return of DP World Lions fast bowler Gerald Coetzee. The 25-year-old earns his first ODI call-up since the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India.
Coetzee forms part of a potent pace attack alongside Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, and all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen. Left-arm spinner Bjorn Fortuin—who is currently captaining the Proteas on their white-ball tour of Namibia—joins Keshav Maharaj to round out the spin department.
In the batting lineup, Aiden Markram will be available for the second and third ODIs, joining top-order options Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, and Tony de Zorzi. Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, and Tristan Stubbs provide firepower to the middle order.
The series opens the home summer on September 24 at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium in Durban. The teams then head to the DP World Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg for the annual Pink Day ODI on September 27, before wrapping up at the NWC Oval in Potchefstroom on September 30.
South Africa last hosted Australia in 2023, recovering from a 2-0 deficit to claim a dramatic 3-2 series victory.
“It’s exciting to start our home summer against Australia in what will no doubt be a highly competitive series,” said Proteas white-ball head coach Shukri Conrad.
“With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping our squad while giving opportunities to players who remain in the frame for our upcoming series against Bangladesh and England later this season.
“We have a clear idea of the combinations we want and the roles we need players to fulfill. From a batting perspective, we want a middle order that can be explosive while absorbing pressure and taking the innings deep. That balance is critical for us.
“Unfortunately, Kagiso [Rabada] will miss this series due to injury, but his absence creates an opportunity for others to step up.
“It’s great to see Gerald back in the fold—by all accounts, he’s been bowling with great pace. Ottneil has shown how effective he can be at the death, and this is another chance for him to demonstrate what he offers in the 50-over format.
“Pink Day is a massive occasion on our cricket calendar, and South Africans always turn out in numbers to support the initiative,” Conrad added. “We know the Wanderers will be a spectacle in pink on the 27th, and we look forward to raising awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer.”
Proteas Men’s Squad
- Temba Bavuma (Captain, DP World Lions)
- Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors)
- Gerald Coetzee (DP World Lions)
- Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions)
- Tony de Zorzi (Western Province)
- Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions)
- Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions)
- Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins)
- Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans)
- Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions)
- Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors)
Dafabet ODI Series Fixtures
- 1st ODI: Thursday, 24 September (10:00) – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban
- 2nd ODI (Pink Day): Sunday, 27 September (10:00) – DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
- 3rd ODI: Wednesday, 30 September (13:30) – NWC Oval, Potchefstroom
