Bavuma’s return gives South Africa a timely boost
South Africa begin a three-match ODI series against Australia in Durban on September 24, with Temba Bavuma back in the 50-over side for the first time since December 2025. The series is the first major step in the Proteas’ home build-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The squad brings back several familiar names, including Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock. It is a much stronger and more settled group than the one used for South Africa’s most recent ODI assignment against Namibia.
Bavuma said the long break from ODI cricket had felt unusually lengthy, but he was eager to return to the middle with his teammates. He also stressed that South Africa want to defend the form they have built in the format over recent months.
“There’s a strong desire to look after our ODI record of late and ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward,” he said. “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 starts now
South Africa could play as many as nine ODIs over the next four months, with series against Australia, Bangladesh and England on the calendar. Bavuma sees that stretch as a crucial part of shaping the team’s World Cup plans, especially with a home tournament now within sight.
He explained that the squad is already fairly clear at the core, and that the coming matches will mostly help refine the final picture. New faces may still emerge later in the cycle, but the major decisions are expected to come into focus by the time the England series is complete.
Head coach Shukri Conrad made a similar point when the squad was named, saying this series is an important part of squad building for the tournament ahead. He also noted that the Bangladesh and England assignments later in the season will give more players a chance to press their case.
Bavuma added that the mental shift toward a home World Cup is already underway. For South Africa, the challenge is not just selection, but also staying focused on the wider meaning of the next few months without letting the occasion get ahead of the cricket.
Openers, omissions and the balance of the XI
One of the biggest selection questions is who will open alongside Quinton de Kock. Bavuma has long been flexible in the batting order, operating either as an opener or at number three, and he confirmed he will remain somewhere in the top three for this series.
He also said the final decision on de Kock’s partner at the top is still to be made. Tony de Zorzi is another option, having also filled both roles for South Africa, while Markram’s limited availability adds another wrinkle because he is only available for the second and third ODIs.
There were also some notable calls in the bowling and middle-order departments. Gerald Coetzee is back in the ODI setup, while Kagiso Rabada misses the series through injury but hopes to be ready for the Test matches that follow.
With Rabada unavailable, South Africa’s pace group includes Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Coetzee. Dewald Brevis was left out, with Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs preferred as the middle-order batting options. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the specialist spin choices.
Australia tour schedule and series context
The ODI phase is only the first part of the tour. A three-Test series follows, and Bavuma admitted it is difficult not to think about those matches already, especially because they form part of the ICC World Test Championship.
The next Test meetings between the sides will be their first since the WTC final at Lord’s in 2025, where South Africa claimed the title. Bavuma said the prospect of both teams being close to full strength makes that series highly anticipated, but for now the priority is to keep emotions in check and stay locked in on the ODIs.
| Match | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Record, squads and what comes next
South Africa and Australia have met in 113 ODIs, with the Proteas holding a 57-52 lead. There have also been three ties and one no result, while South Africa’s home record in the rivalry stands at 28 wins to 22.
South Africa squad: 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 and Tristan Stubbs.
Australia squad: 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 and Adam Zampa.
Durban hosts both the opening ODI and the first Test, giving the tour a familiar starting point before the action shifts to Johannesburg and Potchefstroom. By the time the England series ends later in the season, South Africa should have a far clearer sense of the squad they are likely to take into their home World Cup campaign.
