The Proteas have named a 16-player squad for their three-match ODI series against Australia, with Gerald Coetzee returning to the 50-over setup as South Africa begin their home summer.

Temba Bavuma will captain the side for the series, which gets underway in Durban on 24 September before matches in Johannesburg and Potchefstroom.

Coetzee’s inclusion marks his return to the ODI squad for the first time since the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India.

The 25-year-old joins a pace attack featuring Ottneil Baartman, Kwena Maphaka and Lungi Ngidi, with Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen providing all-round options.

Bjorn Fortuin, who is currently captaining the Proteas during their white-ball tour of Namibia, has also been included alongside experienced spinner Keshav Maharaj.

There are plenty of options at the top of the order, with Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton and Tony de Zorzi included in the squad.

Aiden Markram will only be available for the second and third ODIs, while Matthew Breetzke, David Miller and Tristan Stubbs provide further options through the middle order.

Kagiso Rabada will miss the series through injury.

With the next ODI World Cup now just over a year away, head coach Shukri Conrad said the series forms an important part of South Africa’s preparations as they begin shaping the squad and combinations they want to take forward.

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

“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.

“We have a clear idea of the combinations we want and the roles we need players to fulfill.

“From a batting perspective, we’ve looked at making sure we have a middle order that can be explosive but have the ability to absorb pressure and take the innings quite deep. That balance is going to be important for us.”

Rabada’s absence creates another opportunity for South Africa’s other seamers, while Conrad highlighted what Coetzee and Baartman could bring to the attack.

“Unfortunately, Kagiso (Rabada) will miss out on this series due to injury, but his absence creates an opportunity for the other players to step up.

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

“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 will also feature the annual Pink Day at the Wanderers on 27 September.

“Pink Day is a massive occasion on our cricket calendar, and South Africans have always come out in their numbers to support the initiative, and the excitement in and around the squad is palpable on the day,” Conrad said.

“We know the Wanderers will be a spectacle in pink come the 27th, and we’re looking forward to playing our part in raising awareness and support for the fight against breast cancer.”

South Africa and Australia last met in an ODI series on South African soil in 2023. The Proteas famously recovered from 2-0 down to win the five-match series 3-2.

Proteas Men’s squad

Temba Bavuma (captain, DP World Lions), Ottneil Baartman (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Corbin Bosch (Momentum Multiply Titans), Matthew Breetzke (Dafabet Warriors), Gerald Coetzee (DP World Lions), Quinton de Kock (DP World Lions), Tony de Zorzi (YesPlay Western Province Cobras), Bjorn Fortuin (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Kwena Maphaka (DP World Lions), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), David Miller (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Ryan Rickelton (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors).

Fixtures

1st ODI – Thursday, 24 September at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia
Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

2nd ODI – Sunday, 27 September at 10:00
South Africa vs Australia
DP World Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg

3rd ODI – Wednesday, 30 September at 13:30
South Africa vs Australia
NWC Oval, Potchefstroom