Bavuma’s return changes the mood in Durban
South Africa begin a three-match ODI series against Australia in Durban on 24 September, and the home side arrive with several senior names back in the fold. Temba Bavuma is set to captain the 50-over team again for the first time since December 2025, giving the Proteas a familiar leader as they start shaping their World Cup plans.
The squad has a far more experienced feel than the group used in South Africa’s most recent ODI outing against Namibia. Alongside Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock have all returned, strengthening a side that is already thinking beyond this series.
How South Africa are treating the ODI run-in
Bavuma made it clear that the team wants to keep building on its recent one-day form. He also admitted the extended break from ODI cricket has felt long on a personal level, especially after waiting so long to get back on the field with the squad.
He said the group is eager to defend its recent record in the format and stay sharp in the months ahead. More than anything, he described the chance to be back among his teammates, chasing the ball and competing again, as something he has been looking forward to for a while.
Over the next four months, South Africa could play as many as nine ODIs against Australia, Bangladesh and England. That stretch is being treated as a major part of the build-up to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Bavuma also pointed out that the side’s core is already fairly clear. New faces may still appear before the cycle ends, but he expects the backbone of the squad to stay largely intact, with the England series likely to offer the clearest view of the World Cup group.
Selection questions in the top order and attack
One of the biggest decisions for South Africa is who opens with Quinton de Kock. Bavuma has said he expects to bat somewhere in the top three, although the exact position has not been locked in yet. Tony de Zorzi is another option for the selectors, since he has also spent time both as an opener and at number three.
Aiden Markram adds another layer to the discussion because he is only available for the second and third ODIs. That means South Africa will have to balance short-term stability with the need to test combinations that may matter later in the season.
The bowling group has also changed from recent selections. Gerald Coetzee has been brought back into the ODI setup, while Kagiso Rabada misses the series because of injury. Rabada is still hopeful of being ready for the Test matches that follow.
With Rabada unavailable, South Africa’s pace options include Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen and Coetzee. Dewald Brevis was left out, while Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs were preferred as the main middle-order batting choices. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the two specialist spin options.
The Tests are already part of the conversation
Although the immediate focus is on the ODIs, the three-Test series that follows is impossible to ignore. It forms part of the ICC World Test Championship and will be the first meeting between South Africa and Australia since the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s, which South Africa won.
Bavuma said it is difficult not to talk about the Test series even while the squad is still in one-day mode. He described it as a highly anticipated contest, especially if both teams are at full strength and able to field their best players.
For now, though, he stressed the importance of keeping emotions in check and concentrating on the ODI assignment first. The Test series can wait until the proper moment arrives.
What the schedule looks like
The tour begins in Durban and stays there for the opening Test as well, giving Kingsmead an important role at both ends of the trip. Before the red-ball fixtures arrive, South Africa still need to settle the opening pair, manage Markram’s limited availability and assess whether Rabada will be fit in time for the Tests.
- The first ODI is on 24 September in Durban.
- The second ODI follows on 27 September in Johannesburg.
- The third ODI is set for 30 September in Potchefstroom.
- The first Test runs from 9 to 13 October in Durban.
- The second Test is scheduled for 18 to 22 October in Gqeberha.
- The third Test takes place from 27 to 31 October in Johannesburg.
That sequence gives South Africa a clear runway from white-ball cricket into the longer format, with every match carrying some value for the bigger plan.
Records and squads
South Africa and Australia have met in 113 ODIs. The Proteas hold a 57-52 advantage overall, with three matches tied and one abandoned. On home soil, South Africa also lead the head-to-head 28-22, which adds another layer of interest to a series that already matters for World Cup planning.
South Africa: 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, Tristan Stubbs.
Australia: 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, Adam Zampa.
