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South Africa have announced their squad for the third Test against Australia, with fast bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out of the match due to a groin injury. The third Test will begin on Tuesday, October 27, at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town.
Nortje sustained the injury while bowling during the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha. Subsequent scans confirmed that the pacer would miss the series finale, leaving South Africa to consider their options for the pace attack.
Anrich Nortje ruled out as South Africa announce squad for 3rd Australia Test
South Africa will be without Nortje for the third Test after the fast bowler picked up a mild groin injury in Gqeberha, which came as a massive blow for the Proteas as he looked terrific with the ball. The selectors have not added a replacement to the squad, while Tony de Zorzi has also been left out. South Africa will therefore have to choose from their existing options as they look to complete the Test series against Australia.
Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee are among the possible candidates to replace Nortje in the playing XI. Both are part of the announced squad, although South Africa are yet to confirm their combination for the third Test.
South Africa squad for 3rd Australia Test
Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton and Kyle Verreynne.
Also Read: Anrich Nortje's injury rocks South Africa during 2nd Test against Australia
Temba Bavuma admits South Africa took risk with Anrich Nortje
Speaking after South Africa's epic victory over Australia in the second Test match by an innings and 31 runs, Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma admitted that they took a massive risk by unleashing injury-prone Anrich Nortje in back-to-back games. He said:
"I mean, that's a big loss for us (on Nortje injury). We know what an extra dimension he adds to our bowling attack. I think that one we do have to take it upon ourselves. We probably took the risk by allowing him to play two games in a row. So, I think that's just for us to take on. In terms of who might come, obviously, we'll go to Cape Town.
"We'll see what's happening there in Cape Town. You've got guys like Gerald (Coetzee) on the wings, Dane Paterson as well as (Corbin) Bosch. So, I mean, the options are there. There's Sean (Senuran Muthusamy) as well. But, yeah, the options are there. Whoever we decide after we're there in Cape Town, we'll be confident that they form part of our best XI for those conditions."
After the match, Temba Bavuma also revealed how he kept the team focused despite the rain delays, which caused a massive headache for the hosts. He stated:
"I think it's just basically to try to stay in the moment, right? Like, I think when we were batting, for me, it was all about how we can extend it, how we can go another hour. Another hour becomes a session. How we can make sure we keep them on their feet, because we know how that does have an effect.
"And then, once the opportunity is there, we'll be calling on us to be a lot more ruthless. And I think in the second innings, that's exactly what we did. So I think that's how we play our cricket. I think our team, the way we go about it, we play good old Test cricket, try and wear the opposition down and then take them down when the opportunity presents itself."
