South Africa's injury woes mount ahead of Test series opener against Australia

South Africa's injury concerns have deepened ahead of the opening Test of their three-match series against Australia, with top-order batter Tony de Zorzi ruled out of the match, which begins on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban. De Zorzi sustained a hamstring injury while fielding during the third ODI against Australia at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on September 30.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) had announced a preliminary 18-member squad on September 28 and has opted not to name a replacement for De Zorzi. His absence could hand an opportunity to uncapped batter Marques Ackerman, who earned his call-up after scoring a career-best 256 for South Africa A against Bangladesh A in the first unofficial Test of Bangladesh A's recently concluded tour of South Africa in Pretoria.

Ackerman, a 30-year-old batter, has tonnes of first-class experience and has been a prolific run-accumulator in the domestic circuit. The left-hander has aggregated 5986 runs in 85 first-class matches, averaging 48.66, including 16 centuries and 31 fifties.

Meanwhile, South Africa are second on the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 points table with three wins and a loss in four games. They have a points percentage (PCT) of 75.00%. Meanwhile, Australia are at the top of the ladder with eight wins and just two losses after 10 games and have a PCT of 80.00%.

South Africa squad for 1st Test against Australia:

Temba Bavuma (C), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne.

Australia Test squad for South Africa series:

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

South Africa vs Australia Test series schedule