South Africa Announce Playing XI For 1st Test vs Australia; Kagiso Rabada Out

South Africa's predicted playing XI for 1st Test - (Source: AFP)On Friday, October 9, South Africa and Australia will lock horns for the 1st of a three-match Test series. The two heavyweights will square off at Kingsmead in Durban for the series opener. On the eve of the first Test, South Africa have named their playing XI.Temba Bavuma will lead the side, and the upcoming game is crucial for both teams given the WTC qualification is on the line. Proteas have gone ahead with two spinners - Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer and will miss Kagiso Rabada because of injury.Opener and Top order: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan MulderAiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton will open the innings for South Africa. The two stars were the opening pair during India tour and will continue to do so against the Baggy Greens. Markram and Rickelton stitched fifty-plus opening stand in both innings of the 1st Test, becoming first SA opening pair in 17 years to record 50+ stands in both innings of a Test in India. Wiaan Mulder was promoted to bat at No.3 against India and it is likely that he will bat there against Australia as well. Mulder has 636 runs in 11 innings, batting at No.3, which includes the famous unbeaten 367 against Zimbabwe.Middle order and allrounders: Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Marco JansenSouth Africa skipper Temba Bavuma will bat at No.4. Temba is fresh off a century in ODI series against Australia. Further, at No. 4, the Proteas captain has 1191 runs in 37 innings, averaging 36.09 with the bat.Tristan Stubbs will bat at No.5 to provide stability to the middle-order. Stubbs is yet to cement his place in the Test side and upcoming series can be a great opportunity for him. Stubbs has 759 runs in 26 innings, averaging 31.62. ALSO READKagiso Rabada Injury: Simon Harmer Issues Update Before SA Vs AUS 1st TestKyle Verreynne, and David Bedingham will bat at No. 6 and No. 7. David will walk to bat at No.6, he has 828 runs in 26 innings, averaging 36 with the bat.Kyle Verreynne has been excellent for Proteas at No. 7, scoring 593 runs in 21 innings. He averages 33 playing with the tail and also has 3 centuries to his name. Marco Jansen will be batting at No. 8 for the Proteas.Bowlers: Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer, Keshav MaharajSouth Africa will go for two spinners, which will be Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. The left-arm spinner loves bowling against Australia and has 23 Test wickets against the Baggy Greens. Rest, Anrich Nortje marks his return after three years.South Africa will miss Kagiso Rabada due to injury, marking Nortje's return to the team. The right-arm seamer has not played a Test since February 2023.South Africa's playing XI vs Australia- 1st Test, 2026Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (C), Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Simon Harmer, Keshav MaharajALSO READPakistan’s Test tour of Australia In Next WTC Announced