South Africa suffered a major blow ahead of their ODI series against Australia as star pacer Kagiso Rabada was ruled out due to inflammation in his right ankle. The setback was confirmed on the morning of the first ODI after medical scans revealed the extent of the injury. The 30-year-old speedster will remain in Australia to undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of South Africa’s medical staff. Cricket South Africa stated that the issue was detected during scans earlier in the week, forcing the management to rest their frontline bowler.

To cover for Rabada’s absence, South Africa have drafted in Kwena Maphaka, the highly-rated 19-year-old left-arm seamer. Maphaka has already turned heads, finishing as the leading wicket-taker in the T20I series against Australia, and now has the opportunity to make his mark in the 50-over format.

The Proteas are also missing Marco Jansen, who is still recovering from thumb surgery. This leaves the pace attack reliant on Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Maphaka, with seam-bowling all-rounders Wiaan Mulder and Corbin Bosch offering balance. The spin unit is packed with options in Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, and debutant Prenelan Subrayen.

ALSO READ: Ravichandran Ashwin’s Asia Cup Squad Prediction Sparks Debate

In the opening ODI at Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns, South Africa went in with Ngidi, Burger, and Mulder in the seam department, while Maharaj and Subrayen provided spin support. Notably, Subrayen made his ODI debut.

🚨Squad Update 🚨

Proteas Men’s fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia due to inflammation of his right ankle.

The 30-year-old underwent a scan on Monday, which confirmed the extent of the injury. He… pic.twitter.com/8SYrKWMgHz

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 19, 2025

Meanwhile, Australia, led by stand-in skipper Mitchell Marsh, won the toss and opted to bowl first, citing the dry Cairns pitch. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma admitted he would have made the same decision had the toss gone his way.

ALSO READ: Ambati Rayudu Backs Rohit Sharma To Lead India In 2027 ODI World Cup

Australia enter the ODI series high on confidence after sealing the T20I series 2-1. The remaining ODIs will be played on August 22 and 24 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, setting up an exciting contest between two evenly matched sides.

Teams:

Australia (Playing XI): Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh(c), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis(w), Alex Carey, Aaron Hardie, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood

South Africa (Playing XI): Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton(w), Temba Bavuma(c), Matthew Breetzke, Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis, Wiaan Mulder, Keshav Maharaj, Prenelan Subrayen, Nandre Burger, Lungi Ngidi