Bavuma begins South Africa's season with a match against Australia — TimesLIVE
South Africa cricket captain Temba Bavuma will begin a packed international season with a one-day match against Australia. During the season, the South African team will play 20 international matches against Australia, Bangladesh and England, with a one-day series against England on January 15 serving as the final stage, TimesLIVE reports.
Bavuma has already led the Proteas to an International Cricket Council title and a 2-0 Test series victory in India. The publication notes that success against the three upcoming opponents in one season could become one of the most notable captaincy achievements in South African cricket history. England have not lost a Test series in South Africa since the 1999/2000 season.
Fast bowlers' injuries
Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi have been ruled out of the one-day squad ahead of the series against Australia because of hamstring injuries. Rabada and Ngidi are undergoing rehabilitation, while Rabada released a video of his indoor training late last week.
The packed schedule creates an additional workload for fast bowlers. Under Bavuma, South Africa have not lost a single Test match: the team have won 11 of 12 matches.
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Selection questions
Australia will play a Test series in South Africa for the first time since the sandpaper scandal eight years ago. Its captain Pat Cummins said the team expects a reaction from fans at the stadiums that hosted the first three Tests of the 2018 series, including Newlands.
At the same time, South Africa have questions over their batting lineup. The team played its last Test in India in November 2025, while its previous home Test was in January 2025. In a First Class Series match for the Lions, Bavuma scored 91 runs and Ryan Rickelton made 127. The team must also decide on a player for the No. 3 position in the batting order and whether to include all-rounder Wiaan Mulder in the starting lineup.
South Africa will also play Bangladesh, who beat Australia in Darwin last month, and England. For England, the series will be the first assignment under new head coach Stephen Fleming. The Test results will be important for South Africa's defence of the World Test Championship title.
