The series will run from 24 to 30 September, with Temba Bavuma retaining the captaincy as South Africa look to continue their impressive recent record against the Australians on home soil.

One of the most notable inclusions is fast bowler Gerald Coetzee, who returns to the ODI squad for the first time since featuring at the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India.

Gerald Coetzee removes Steve Smith of Australia at the 2023 Cricket World Cup - Cricinfo

The 25-year-old's recall adds further pace to an attack that includes Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi, while all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen provide additional bowling options.

Spin will be covered by Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj, with Fortuin currently leading the Proteas during their white-ball tour of Namibia.

At the top of the order, South Africa have plenty of experience and firepower. Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi are among the options, while Aiden Markram will join the squad for the second and third matches.

The middle order features Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs, giving coach Shukri Conrad a number of options when it comes to finding the right balance between stability and aggression.

Conrad sees the Australia series as an important opportunity to start laying the foundations for the next global showpiece.

“It’s exciting to start our home summer against Australia in what will no doubt be a competitive series,” Conrad said.

David Miller will boost the batting in the middle order - Cricinfo

“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.”

The Proteas will also be forced to cope without experienced fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, who is sidelined through injury.

Conrad believes Rabada's absence can create an opportunity for others to make their mark, while he is particularly pleased to see Coetzee back in the mix.

Temba Bavuma returns to captain the team - Cricinfo

“It’s great to see Gerald back in the fold and, by all accounts, he’s been bowling nice and quickly,” he said.

“Ottneil has shown how effective he can be at the death, and this is another opportunity for him to show what he can offer us in the 50-over format.”

The series opens in Durban at Kingsmead Stadium on 24 September before moving to Johannesburg for the second ODI at the Wanderers on 27 September.

The Wanderers fixture will once again be the annual Pink Day, a major occasion on the South African cricket calendar that helps raise awareness and support in the fight against breast cancer.

Potchefstroom-born Marco Jansen is back in the mix, while his twin brother Duan misses out - Cricinfo

The final ODI will take place at the NWC Oval in Potchefstroom on 30 September.

South Africa will enter the series with fond memories of their last home ODI battle against Australia. In 2023, the Proteas recovered from losing the opening two matches to win the five-game series 3-2.

With the next World Cup now firmly on the horizon, the upcoming contest offers South Africa another chance to test combinations, identify roles and build momentum against one of the world's leading cricket nations.

Proteas squad - Temba Bavuma (captain), 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, and Tristan Stubbs

Morgan Piek OFM Sport