South Africa open a three-match one-day international series against Australia in Durban on September 24, and the return of Temba Bavuma gives the hosts an experienced leader at a crucial moment. The series is the first major step in shaping South Africa’s 50-over side ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which they will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The squad has a far more familiar look again, with Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock all back in the mix. That is a major shift from the group used in South Africa’s previous ODI assignment against Namibia, and it signals how seriously this series is being treated.
Bavuma’s Return Brings Stability and Purpose
Bavuma has not hidden how much he has missed the format. On the eve of the opening match in Durban, he spoke about the length of his absence and the value of getting back into the rhythm of international cricket with his teammates.
He said the side is determined to protect its recent ODI record and keep performing at a high level. For him personally, simply being back on the field after a long break is a welcome relief and something he has been looking forward to for some time.
The captain also made it clear that the next four months will be important. South Africa are scheduled to play up to nine ODIs against Australia, Bangladesh and England, and that stretch should go a long way toward revealing the core of the World Cup squad.
In his view, the broad outline of the team is already known, and there is no expectation of a dramatic overhaul. New players may still emerge later in the cycle, especially once the England series is completed, but the final picture is likely to become clearer after that.
Opening Combination Still Needs to Be Finalised
One of the main talking points is who will partner Quinton de Kock at the top of the order. Bavuma has spent time both as an opener and at number three, and he confirmed that he will remain somewhere in the top three, although his exact role has not yet been locked in.
Tony de Zorzi provides another option because he has also filled both of those positions for South Africa. Aiden Markram adds a further layer of uncertainty, since he is only available for the second and third ODIs of the series.
That means the first match in Durban may offer an early look at how the selectors want to balance experience and flexibility. With a home World Cup approaching, every ODI now matters not just for results, but for defining roles.
Coetzee Returns While Rabada Sits Out
Gerald Coetzee is back in the ODI squad after earning a recall to the 50-over set-up. His return is timely, especially with Kagiso Rabada unavailable because of injury.
Rabada is expected to keep working toward full fitness with an eye on the Test matches that follow the ODI leg. Even without him, South Africa still have considerable pace depth, with Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen all part of the bowling group alongside Coetzee.
The selectors also left out Dewald Brevis, opting instead for Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs in the middle order. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the specialist spin options.
Head coach Shukri Conrad has framed the series in similar terms, saying it is an important part of the build towards the World Cup while also giving players in contention a chance to prove themselves in the later ODIs against Bangladesh and England.
Tests Waiting in the Background
Although the immediate focus is on the three ODIs, the Test series that follows is impossible to ignore. The red-ball contest will count toward the ICC World Test Championship and will be the first meeting between South Africa and Australia since the 2025 WTC Final at Lord’s, when South Africa lifted the title.
Bavuma admitted that talk of the Tests has already started to creep into conversations around the ODI squad. He described the series as highly anticipated and suggested that both teams, if fully fit, should produce proper contest cricket at the highest level.
For now, though, the message inside the South African camp is to keep emotions in check and stay present. The Tests will come soon enough, but first the Proteas need to make the most of this opening ODI stretch and continue refining their World Cup plans.
Record, Fixtures and Squad Details
South Africa and Australia have faced each other in 113 ODIs. South Africa hold the overall advantage with 57 wins to Australia’s 52, alongside three ties and one no-result. At home, the Proteas also lead the rivalry, 28 wins to 22.
The ODI series begins in Durban on September 24, moves to Johannesburg on September 27, and concludes in Potchefstroom on September 30. The Test series then starts in Durban on October 9, before moving to Gqeberha on October 18 and Johannesburg on October 27.
South Africa’s ODI squad is Temba Bavuma, 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 and Tristan Stubbs.
Australia’s squad includes 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 and Adam Zampa.
Durban is set to host both the opening ODI and the first Test, giving the tour a neat symmetry as South Africa begin to lock in their long-term white-ball and red-ball plans. By the time the England series is done later in the season, the Proteas should have a much sharper idea of the group they want at a home World Cup.