Kagiso Rabada Injury: Simon Harmer Issues Update Before SA Vs AUS 1st Test

Kagiso Rabada in Tests (Source: AFP Photos)South Africa dealt a huge blow when Kagiso Rabada sustained a worrying hamstring injury not so long ago. With the current World Test Championship winners facing Australia next, it was a major setback for the Proteas.Rabada was already ruled out of South Africa vs Australia ODIs, and reports suggested he might also miss SA vs AUS Tests.The 1st Test between South Africa and Australia will get underway on Friday (October 9) at Kingsmead, Durban. South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer, just before the SA vs AUS 1st Test begins, gave a major update on Kagiso Rabada’s injury.Simon Harmer Hints Rabada May Miss SA Vs AUS 1st TestAs Cricinfo reported, Rabada joined South Africa's training two days before the 1st Test against Australia. He ‘did both fitness drills and bowling off an increasingly longer run-up’.However, Harmer, speaking to the reporters, mentioned that as much as they want Kagiso Rabada back in South Africa's playing XI vs Australia for the 1st Test, it would be a big risk if they forcefully included him. That would hurt them a lot more, especially when you consider the bigger picture."Everybody wants him (Rabada) to play. The spectators, us in the change room, the Australians. I obviously don't know exactly where he's at," Simon Harmer, said while addressing the media on Wednesday.ALSO READSouth Africa Test Squad vs Australia Announced, Kagiso Rabada Included"There'll be a decision made, I'm sure, as close to the game as possible. He's proved season in, season out that he's a world-class player and he's only going to make our team better. I really hope that he does get in for the first Test, but there's a lot of cricket this summer and I don't think we want to risk a short-term game for long-term damage," Harmer added.Earlier, the decision was made that South Africa will delay as much as they can to confirm Rabada's availability for SA vs AUS 1st Test.Kagiso Rabada's Test Record Vs AustraliaOne of the greatest ever Test bowlers for South Africa, Rabada only averages 22.03, having picked up 340 wickets in 134 innings. He also strikes at 39.5 in this format, which is extremely impressive.Rabada’s numbers improve further in his record against Australia in Tests. He averages 21.39 against them, with 58 wickets in 20 innings, including four five-wicket hauls and one 10-wicket haul in a match.Thus, South Africa would be more than eager to have Rabada back in the playing XI. He last played for them in March this year, against New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, during T20 World Cup 2026.ALSO READPakistan’s Test tour of Australia In Next WTC Announced