Kagiso Rabada has been replaced by Kwena Maphaka for South Africa’s three-match ODI series against Australia, starting August 19. Here’s why.
After the preceding T20Is went Australia’s way, the two teams met again in the series opener of the three-match ODI series on Tuesday (August 19). South Africa suffered a blow before the start of the series when their pace spearhead, Rabada, was ruled out for the entire ODI series.
They called in 19-year-old Maphaka as his replacement. The teenage left-arm pacer was the leading wicket-taker in the T20I series, with nine wickets at an average of 12.55.
South Africa are also without Marco Jansen, who is currently recovering from a thumb injury. Alongside Maphaka, the visitors’ current pace bowling stocks include the likes of Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and all-rounders Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder.
AUS vs SA, 1st ODI live score:
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1st ODI, Australia vs South Africa
What happened to Rabada?
Rabada played in the T20I series, which South Africa lost 2-1 after a thrilling penultimate-ball finish in the decider. He took five wickets at an average of 16.40 and an economy rate of 7.45 – the third-best among all bowlers in the series. However, Cricket South Africa confirmed in a statement that he underwent a scan on Monday (August 18) morning due to inflammation in his right ankle, ruling him out of the ODI series.
"The 30-year-old underwent a scan on Monday, which confirmed the extent of the injury. He will remain in Australia and undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of the Proteas medical staff," read an official CSA statement.
🚨Squad Update 🚨
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) August 19, 2025
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
With Rabada unavailable, South Africa named Burger in the playing XI for the opener as one of the lead seamers alongside Ngidi. Burger recently returned to international cricket after an 11-month hiatus following a lower-back injury. The Zimbabwe tri-series marked his comeback, with him taking figures of 1-22, 1-20, and 1-41 in his three outings. Having burst onto the scene as a 150 kmph quick in 2023, Burger entered the match with prior ODI experience of five games, where he picked up six wickets at an average of 37.50 and an economy of 5.53.
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