The Test world champions will be without their premier fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, who has officially been ruled out of the opening match – the first Test between the two sides on South African soil in eight years.

There had been hope that Rabada would recover in time, but his hamstring niggle has not fully healed, leaving the Proteas without one of their biggest weapons against the Australians.

Kagiso Rabada in the WTC Final against Australia at Lords. Photo: Cricinfo

Rabada also missed the recent ODI series against Australia and was not part of the Proteas squad that toured Namibia.

Earlier in the week, batting coach Ashwell Prince indicated Rabada was bowling again and there was confidence he would be fit to play. However, on the eve of the Test, captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the star quick would sit this one out, with the Proteas hopeful that he will be ready for the second Test.

“It’s always a difficult decision,” said Bavuma.

Anrich Nortjé and Kagiso Rabada. Photo: Cricinfo

“I think we decided to take the conservative route and give him a couple of extra days to get as close as he can to 100% fitness.

“We’re confident in our medical team to get him to the place where we need him to be. They haven’t officially handed him over, if I can put it that way, so he’s under their control.

“Obviously, as soon as he gets the green light, we expect him to be in that starting line-up. We’re giving him a couple of days until the second Test, but he’s in the hands of the medical team.”

While Rabada’s absence is a major setback, the Proteas will welcome back another express quick, with Anrich Nortjé set to return to Test cricket after a three-year absence.

Bavuma believes Nortjé’s raw pace and ability to unsettle batters make him too good an option to overlook. “A guy like Anrich is hard to ignore. He’s X-factor,” said Bavuma.

“There aren’t many guys around who are bowling at 150-plus, and as a batter, that’s not something I would look forward to. He fits in very well with our approach from a bowling point of view, especially with regards to the fast bowlers.

“He doesn’t have the weight of overs under his belt when it comes to bowling red-ball cricket, but he has been doing work with the bowling coaches. The time that we’ve had here as well, he’s been very impressive in the nets, so I think it was a calculated call to give Anrich a go.”

Potchefstroom-born Marco Jansen after dismissing the Klerksdorp-born Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne. Photo: Cricinfo

Bavuma also confirmed the Proteas will unleash their spin twins, with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer both included in the XI.

The decision gives the Proteas plenty of variety in their attack, with Nortjé’s searing pace complemented by the experience and craft of Maharaj and Harmer.

Play at Kingsmead is scheduled to get underway at 09:30 on Friday morning.

Proteas XI – Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wicketkeeper), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortjé

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm