Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma says Kagiso Rabada “is in good spirits mentally” and “looks strong”, but that the fast bowler remains in the care of the medical team ahead of the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead on Friday.
Rabada’s progress is being monitored after the pace spearhead suffered a hamstring injury last month. The 31-year-old has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL back in May, but, according to batting coach Ashwell Prince, came through the two-day warm-up match over the weekend unscathed.
Speaking at the launch of the men’s team’s new front-shirt sponsor on Tuesday in Durban, Bavuma expressed cautious optimism that the Proteas’ talisman could still have a role to play in the eagerly anticipated series, with a decision to be made on his match readiness on Friday morning.
“It’s too complicated. He’s still standing. He still looks strong,” Bavuma exclusively told IOL Sport.
The skipper acknowledged that the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Rabada is fit enough to take his place in the starting XI.
“He’s still under the auspices or care of the medical team. They would need to ordinarily hand him over. We still have a couple of practices leading up to Friday.”
Although the uncertainty surrounding Rabada’s fitness remains, Bavuma painted an encouraging picture of the fast bowler’s mindset, suggesting the Proteas spearhead is eager to make his mark against Australia.
“But, yeah, look, he’s in good spirits mentally. Just [from] the conversations [we’re] having with him, he’s looking to make his impact within the series. Whenever that opportunity comes,” Bavuma added.
The Proteas have beefed up their pace arsenal in the event of Rabada being ruled out of the first Test.
Speed merchant Anrich Nortje has been called up from the Test wilderness and could be in line to play his first Test since March 2023, while Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson are all part of the 17-player squad.
