Anrich Nortje ruled out of South Africa’s Cape Town Test decider
Anrich Nortje will miss the third Test against Australia in Cape Town after a groin injury, the ICC has reported. The 32-year-old was hurt while bowling in the first innings of the Gqeberha Test.
Scans on Thursday confirmed the problem, which the ICC describes as a mild groin injury. South Africa had not named a replacement when the ICC published its report.
The details
Cricket.com.au reports that Nortje bowled only 3.3 overs in the first innings before his match ended early. His omission is the only squad change confirmed for the third Test so far.
The Tribune reports that Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson and Corbin Bosch are being considered as his replacement.
Series on the line
South Africa levelled the three-Test series 1-1 by winning the second Test at St George’s Park by an innings and 31 runs, according to Sky Sports. Temba Bavuma scored 179 in that match and was named Player of the Match, The Tribune reports. Australia had won the Durban opener by 214 runs.
Sky Sports puts South Africa third and Australia first in the World Test Championship standings, with the series at stake in Cape Town.
What’s next
The third Test starts on Tuesday, 27 October 2026 at 2:00 PM IST, and the ICC schedule lists it for 27-31 October. South Africa’s next fixtures after that are two matches against England, on 17 December and 26 December, both at 1:30 PM IST.
