Nortje returns as Proteas name XI for first Australia Test

South Africa will play their first Test on home soil since defeating Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's last year.

The two sides currently occupy the top two slots in the WTC standings, with Australia first with an 80% PCT, while the Proteas sit close behind with 75%.

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma is hoping the occasion provides an opportunity to celebrate with the home supporters and have their full backing.

“It's our first time playing Test cricket since we're the WTC champions here at home,” Bavuma said at the pre-match presser ahead of the first Test.

“We'd like to celebrate that moment with our local fans. Hopefully, the people in Durban come out in support to tomorrow."

However, the South Africa skipper was quick to stress that the focus remains firmly on the task at hand, as the WTC cycle enters a crucial stage.

“The focus is on this game. We want to put out the best team to be competitive in this game and obviously to win it.”

Bavuma also explained South Africa's decision to bring Anrich Nortje back into the playing X, with the fast bowler's ability to generate extreme pace proving difficult to overlook.

Nortje, who has 19 Tests and 70 wickets under his belt, is making a return to the red-ball unit after a three and a half year hiatus, with his last Test appearance coming in February 2023.

“A guy like (Anrich Nortje) is hard to ignore. There aren't many guys around who are bowling 150-plus, and I think as a batter, that's not something that I would look forward to.

“He fits in very well into our approach from a bowling point of view with regards to the fast bowlers.

“I think the time that we've had here as well, he's been very impressive in the nets. I think it was a calculated call to give Anrich Nortje a go.”

Wiaan Mulder has also earned his place in the playing 11, with Bavuma highlighting the all-rounder's ability to contribute significantly with the bat while offering another bowling option.

“Wiaan gives you a little bit more with the bat. I think in that position, six, seven, you need someone that can score big runs.

“Wiaan has shown he can do that. The opportunity is there. And I think with the new ball as well, in terms of the role that we see him playing, we believe that he can be effective in that.

“He's a good slip catcher as well. So I think that also counts in his favour. But yeah, probably the overriding factor was his ability with the bat.”

South Africa will also be fielding two frontline spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, giving the reigning WTC champions an added dimension to an attack traditionally built around pace.

“Those two spin twins, if I could call them, I think they've added another dimension to our bowling attack, as much as we've always been about the fast bowling.

“But when conditions have allowed for spinners to come into the game or the slow bowlers, they've been able to play an effective role.

“If the conditions play that way, we've got two guys that I'm confident in, that the whole team is confident in, that they can put the opposition under pressure.

“There's a healthy competition between them, so that always helps. They've added a strong dimension to our bowling attack.”

For Bavuma, the challenge is not only to lead South Africa into a second consecutive WTC Final but also to continue delivering with the bat.

The captain said his leadership responsibilities provide a sense of comfort, while his approach with the bat remains centred on trusting the preparation that has taken him to the highest level.

“From a leader's point of view, I think that's where I really find a lot more comfort in leading the team towards what it is that we want to achieve.

“Continually trying to inspire guys to go a certain way. With the bat, like any player really, we'll just have to deal with whatever noise is in our heads and just trust that the preparation that we've done, the years of being at this level, will come through.”

The three-match series will move to Gqeberha and Cape Town after the first Test in Durban, starting Friday.

South Africa playing XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.

Fixtures

First Test - Friday, 9-Tuesday, 13 October at 9.30am - Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Second Test - Sunday, 18-Thursday, 22 October at 10am - Dafabet St George’s Park, Gqeberha

Third Test - Tuesday, 27-Saturday, 31 October at 10.30am - YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town