South Africa Predicted Playing XI vs Australia - 1st ODI, 2026

South Africa Predicted Playing XI vs Australia for 1st ODI [Source: AFP]South Africa is all set to host Australia in the first ODI of the 3-game series on Thursday, September 24. The match will be held at the Kingsmead Stadium in Durban at 1:30 PM IST.This series will serve as a crucial beginning for both teams to kickstart their preparation for the upcoming 2027 ODI World Cup. Therefore, Australia have named a full-strength squad, but skipper Pat Cummins will be unavailable due to workload management.On the other hand, South Africa will also come out all guns blazing with an experienced squad. But an injury bug has hit their camp as key pacers like Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi have been ruled out of the ODI series.Regardless, the Proteas camp still has enough depth to form a balanced and lethal lineup. On that note, let’s analyse the predicted playing XI of South Africa for the 1st ODI against Australia, 2026. Top Order - Quinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Temba BavumaQuinton de Kock, one of the senior-most batters in South Africa’s lineup, reversed his retirement recently, meaning he will open the innings against Australia in the first ODI. Since his return, de Kock has scored 353 runs in 6 ODIs at an average of 70, including 2 hundred.The Proteas do have a huge pool of wicketkeepers and openers to choose from as the squad also features Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs, but for the first game, de Kock and Ryan Rickelton will form the opening pair, with captain Temba Bavuma coming in at No. 3. Bavuma is returning to the ODI setup after last playing a 50-over international in December 2025 where he scored 94 runs in 2 games against India. Hence, it’s important for him to get some game time before the crucial home World Cup.Also Read - South Africa's ODI Record At Kingsmead Durban Ahead of 1st Match vs Australia, 2026Middle Order - Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin BoschMatthew Breetzke is expected to retain his place in the middle order after establishing himself as an exciting ODI prospect. Since his debut in 2025, Matthew has played 14 ODIs, scoring 710 runs, including a hundred. Moreover, since Aiden Markram is unavailable for the first ODI, Breetzke will likely play ahead of him.After Breetzke, experienced campaigner David Miller will follow, while Tristan Stubbs provides another attacking option in the middle order. In the all-rounder department, Corbin Bosch is likely to play the first ODI vs Australia. He recently scored 39 runs against Namibia and picked up 2 wickets as well. Hence, the Proteas will surely want to test his skills against a quality opposition. Bowlers - Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqobani MokoenaIn the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen will lead the pace attack for South Africa. He can also contribute with the bat, which makes him a great, versatile option. Last year, he played just 6 ODIs, picking up 8 wickets and also scoring 92 runs.Also, Gerald Coetzee is making a comeback as he has been recalled to the ODI squad after last appearing in the format during the 2023 World Cup. Hence, he is also likely to make the cut to the playing XI, especially in the absence of Rabada, Ngidi, Baartman and Maphaka.Apart from Coetzee, young pacer Nqobani Mokoena could get a call-up for the first ODI vs Australia. He is a promising prospect who can get a chance ahead of injured Kwena Maphaka. Nqobani last played the ODI series vs Namibia where he picked up a wicket.Duan Jansen was also successful against Namibia as he picked up 5 wickets. But the Proteas will likely prefer Mokoena over him against Australia.In the spin department, experienced star Keshav Maharaj will take the lead, with Stubbs supporting him from the other end. Overall, despite the absence of key players like Rabada, Ngidi and Markram, South Africa can still build a balanced lineup and challenge Australia in the first ODI of the 3-game series scheduled at Durban.South Africa Playing XI vs Australia, 1st ODIQuinton de Kock (WK), Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Nqobani MokoenaAlso Read - After Rabada, Ngidi, Another South African Pacer Ruled Out Of Australia ODIs