De Zorzi out of SA's series opener against Australia with hamstring niggle

Ackerman could debut for SA in Durban with de Zorzi unavailable

Tony de Zorzi has been ruled out of South Africa's first Test against Australia, which starts in Durban next Friday, with a hamstring injury. De Zorzi is the fifth player after Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka to suffer hamstring trouble in the last two months. His niggle, sustained while fielding against Australia in the third ODI in Potchefstroom, was described as "mild" by a CSA statement but serious enough to keep him out of the Test.

CSA named an extended 18-player preliminary squad and have opted not to replace de Zorzi ahead of deciding their final 15-man group early next week.

De Zorzi's absence will increase the possibility of a debut for Marques Ackerman, a No.3 batter who was named in the squad on the back of strong performances for South Africa A. Ackerman scored a career-best 256 against Bangladesh A and is understood to be competing for a spot in the final Test XI with Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham, who could also bat at No.5.

News on the other hamstrung players is largely positive. Rabada, who hurt himself in winter training, is in the preliminary squad and a decision on his availability for Durban will be taken after the two-day intra-squad match which starts tomorrow. Ngidi, Maphaka and Baartman will not be considered for the series in its entirety but are expected to be part of a big summer, which also includes incoming tours against Bangladesh and England.

Ngidi revealed that he is "back running already," at the 2027 ODI World Cup schedule launch on Thursday but was coy about the extent of his injury. "I'm not allowed to disclose anything. But all I can tell you is, so far, so good. I'm back running already. That'sabout as much as I can let you know," he said.