South Africa fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Australia after sustaining a mild groin injury during the second Test in Gqeberha, Cricket’s governing body said on Saturday.
Scans conducted on Thursday confirmed the extent of the injury, which Nortje sustained while bowling in Australia’s first innings. South Africa have not yet named a replacement for the 32-year-old.
The series is level at 1-1 after South Africa secured an innings and 31-run victory in the second Test, which ended on October 22.
Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, setting up a decisive final match in Cape Town from October 27-31.
South Africa named a 16-member squad for the series decider, led by captain Temba Bavuma and including pace bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson.
The third Test will conclude the teams’ series in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, with both sides seeking a series victory.
South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne.
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