South Africa have been dealt with a big injury blow as Kagiso Rabada is expected to miss the three-Test home series against Australia after suffering a severe right hamstring injury. The 31-year-old sustained the grade-three tear during training about 10 days ago. Lions bowling coach Allan Donald confirmed the serious nature, saying recovery could take nine to 10 weeks. “He’s going to be out for all the Aussie Tests as well,” he said. Cricket South Africa confirmed Rabada is already ruled out of the three-match ODI series that begins on September 24. His Test availability will depend on rehabilitation progress, with a final call closer to the series. The first Test starts on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban.
Kagiso Rabada has taken 340 Test wickets at an average of 22.03. He picked up 9 for 110 in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord’s, helping South Africa beat Australia and win the title. When it comes to Australia he has picked up 58 wickets in 11 Tests at 21.39. South Africa’s medical team is supervising his early rehabilitation. Nandre Burger is also recovering from a back stress fracture, adding further issues for South Africa ahead of the crucial series against Australia.
Australia Tour South Africa After Eight Years
Australia will return to South African soil for a three-Test series in October 2026 which will be their first full Test tour of the country since the 2017-18 series that ended in the sandpaper scandal at Newlands. The series starts on 9 October at Kingsmead, Durban, followed by a second Test on 18th October at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, and third Test will be on 27th October at Newlands, Cape Town. This series is a part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. A three-match ODI series will be played before the Tests, starting 24 September in Durban.
The last time South Africa hosted Australia in Tests was in 2018. That series finished 3-1 to the home side. These two sides met in the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s, where South Africa won by five wickets and won the WTC Final. Australia had earlier beaten South Africa 2-0 at home in 2022-23. In the current WTC cycle, Australia sit top with 96 points from 10 matches with eight wins and two losses at 80 percent. South Africa are second with 36 points from four matches with three wins and one loss at 75 percent.
