Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Australia at Newlands due to a groin injury, as South Africa prepare for the series decider in Cape Town.

Cricket South Africa confirmed the 16-player squad on Saturday, with the final Test scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 27 October, at YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground.

Nortje sustained a mild groin injury while bowling during Australia’s first innings in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Wednesday.

Subsequent scans on Thursday confirmed the extent of the injury, ruling the fast bowler out of the final match of the three-Test series.

His absence comes at a crucial stage for the Proteas, who head into the Newlands encounter with the series level at 1-1 following an impressive comeback victory in Gqeberha.

Proteas Looking to Complete Series Comeback

South Africa suffered a disappointing 214-run defeat in the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban before responding emphatically in the second Test.

Captain Temba Bavuma led the fightback with an outstanding 179 as the Proteas posted 425/9 declared.

The South African bowlers then dominated Australia, dismissing the visitors for 99 in their first innings and 295 in their second to secure victory by an innings and 31 runs.

The result levelled the series and set up a decisive final encounter at Newlands, where South Africa will be looking to complete their comeback and secure a series victory on home soil.

Nortje’s absence will leave the Proteas without one of their experienced fast bowlers, although the squad still includes Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder and Dane Paterson as seam-bowling options.

The selectors have also retained spin options Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy.

With the match taking place in Cape Town in October rather than during the traditional New Year’s Test period, conditions could present a different challenge for both teams.

Proteas Squad for Third Test Against Australia

The 16-player squad is as follows:

• Temba Bavuma (captain) – DP World Lions
• Marques Ackerman – Hollywoodbets Dolphins
• David Bedingham – YesPlay Cobras
• Corbin Bosch – Momentum Multiply Titans
• Matthew Breetzke – Dafabet Warriors
• Gerald Coetzee – DP World Lions
• Simon Harmer – Momentum Multiply Titans
• Marco Jansen – Momentum Multiply Titans
• Keshav Maharaj – Hollywoodbets Dolphins
• Aiden Markram – Momentum Multiply Titans
• Wiaan Mulder – DP World Lions
• Senuran Muthusamy – Dafabet Warriors
• Dane Paterson – YesPlay Cobras
• Kagiso Rabada – DP World Lions
• Ryan Rickelton – DP World Lions
• Kyle Verreynne – YesPlay Cobras

South Africa vs Australia Test Series Results and Fixtures

First Test – Durban (9–13 October)

Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium.

Second Test – Gqeberha (18–22 October)

South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs at Dafabet St George’s Park.

Third Test – Cape Town (27–31 October)

South Africa vs Australia at YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground.

Play is scheduled to begin at 10:30 SAST on Tuesday, 27 October.

With the series level at 1-1, the Newlands Test will determine the winner of the three-match contest.

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