Kagiso Rabada with South African team - (Source: AFP)South Africa are all set to host Australia for a three-match Test series starting on October 9. Both teams are sweating hard in the nets. Meanwhile, the management are sweating over players’ fitness. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada’s availability remains a big challenge.For the unversed, Rabada has not played a solitary match since IPL 2026. He has been struggling with injuries, and in the latest events, he is nursing hamstring trouble. Amid the recovery, the right-arm seamer has been named in the 17-member squad to face Australia, but the question is whether he will be fit for the 1st Test or not.South Africa to wait for Rabada before naming Playing XI for 1st TestIn the latest events, a report from Cricinfo stated that South Africa will make a call on Kagiso Rabada’s availability as late as possible. The Proteas have three days before the 1st Test, and they will wait till the last day to take a call on Rabada’s inclusion.“South Africa will make a call on Kagiso Rabada's availability for the first Test against Australia as late as possible," remarked South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince. Recently, Rabada took part in a two-day intra-squad match, where he looked promising. ALSO READCameron Green Likely To Be Out Of South Africa Vs Australia 1st Test: Report"He came through quite nicely and bowled really well. He'll continue to be involved in training over the next few days leading up to the match," Prince added.South Africa Turn Preliminary Squad Into Primary SquadInitially, South Africa released an 18-member squad, which featured Kagiso Rabada. The Proteas were set to trim down the squad to 15-members, but they will go ahead with the 17 players. Notably, Tony de Zorzi was pulled out of the squad after injuring his hamstring.South Africa's batting coach revealed the reason and stated that it allows the Rainbow Nation more options to choose from."From the bowler's point of view, domestically there's T20 cricket going on at the moment so we feel that they'll be better served here, where they will bowl more red balls in training. And if they're not in the Test lineup, then they can continue bowling during the Test match in the nets, just to get the loads up," Prince said. ALSO READGautam Gambhir Gives Honest Opinion On Shreyas Iyer After India's Captaincy Takeover
