Bavuma Returns as Proteas Open Home World Cup Build-Up Against Australia

South Africa begin a three-match ODI series against Australia in Durban on September 24. Several senior players are back in the squad, and captain Temba Bavuma returns to the 50-over side for the first time since December 2025. The series starts a run of one-day cricket that will shape the hosts’ plans for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which South Africa will co-host with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Along with Bavuma, Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Lungi Ngidi, David Miller, Corbin Bosch and Quinton de Kock are back in the squad. It looks quite different from the group that played South Africa’s last ODI assignment, a three-match series against Namibia.

A Long Wait Ends for the Captain

Bavuma was open about how much the break had weighed on him. Speaking to reporters on the eve of the opening match in Durban, he said the squad wants to protect its recent form in the format.

“There’s a strong desire to look after our ODI record of late and ensure that we’re putting our best foot forward,” Bavuma said.

“I think, for me personally, it’s been a super long break. So, just to be out there again, running around, chasing after the balls with the guys, that’s something that I look forward to.”

Nine ODIs to Settle the World Cup Core

Over the next four months South Africa play as many as nine ODIs, against Australia, Bangladesh and England. Bavuma sees that stretch as the clearest sign yet of how the Proteas are preparing for a home tournament.

“Mentally getting it around your mind, being in a home World Cup, what all of that means, that is a continuous process that we will follow,” he said.

He also said the backbone of the side is already largely known:

Core group: “From a team perspective, I mean the core players, we generally know who those co-players are. I don’t think we will move away too much from that.”
Room for newcomers: “We end this cycle with England. At the end, there will be opportunities, we’ll see new faces coming in.”
Timeline: “Probably (after) that England series, we will be closer to what we think we’ll be for the World Cup.”

Head coach Shukri Conrad said much the same when the squad was announced. “With the World Cup just over a year away, this series marks an important step in shaping the squad as we build towards the tournament, while also giving those players who are in the frame opportunities when we face Bangladesh and England later in the season,” Conrad said.

Who Opens With De Kock?

The make-up of the top order is one of the main questions for this series. Bavuma has batted both as an opener and at number three for South Africa. He confirmed he will stay in the top three, but his exact slot is still undecided.

“Yeah, (I will bat) most probably in the top three. Whoever pairs up with Quinton (de Kock) at the top, that we’ll decide,” he said.

Tony de Zorzi has also played in both roles for his country, which gives the selectors another option. Markram’s limited availability complicates things further, because he is only available for the second and third matches of the series.

Selection Calls: Coetzee In, Brevis and Rabada Out

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee has been recalled to the 50-over side. Spearhead Kagiso Rabada misses the ODIs with injury, though he hopes to be fit for the Test matches that follow.

With Rabada out, the pace attack consists of:

Ottneil Baartman
Kwena Maphaka
Lungi Ngidi
Corbin Bosch
Marco Jansen
Gerald Coetzee

Dewald Brevis was left out. The selectors went with Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs as the middle-order batters. Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj are the two specialist spinners.

The Test Series Is Already on the Players’ Minds

The squad’s attention is on the three ODIs for now, but Bavuma admitted the three-Test series that follows, part of the ICC World Test Championship, is hard to ignore. It will be the first meeting between the two sides since the WTC Final at Lord’s in 2025, where South Africa won the title.

“It’s very hard not to find yourself speaking about the Test series, even though you’re within the ODI space,” Bavuma said.

“It’s one that is highly anticipated. Both teams, fully fit, having their best players will allow for a proper game of cricket.”

He added that for now the focus is on “controlling those emotions, keeping it at the back of your head and we’ll deal with it when that opportunity is upon us.”

Head-to-Head Record

The two nations have played 113 ODIs. South Africa lead the head-to-head 57-52, with three ties and one abandoned match. On home soil, the Proteas lead 28-22.

Squads

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

Full Schedule

Match	Date	Venue
First ODI	September 24	Durban
Second ODI	September 27	Johannesburg
Third ODI	September 30	Potchefstroom
First Test	October 9-13	Durban
Second Test	October 18-22	Gqeberha
Third Test	October 27-31	Johannesburg

Durban hosts both the opening ODI and the first Test, so the tour’s two phases start at the same ground. Between those dates, South Africa still have to choose De Kock’s opening partner, bring Markram back for the second ODI in Johannesburg, and see whether Rabada is fit before the first Test on October 9. Bangladesh and England follow later in the season, and by the time the England series ends, the Proteas should have a clear idea of the squad they will take into a home World Cup.