Nortje Ruled Out as Proteas Name Squad for Australia Series Decider at Newlands

Fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the third and final Test against Australia at Newlands due to a mild groin injury. Cricket South Africa announced the 16-player squad on Saturday for the series decider, which begins on Tuesday, October 27, in Cape Town. Nortje sustained the injury while bowling during Australia's first innings in the second Test in Gqeberha, with scans later confirming his unavailability.

The three-match series is currently tied at 1-1 after South Africa secured an innings-and-31-run victory in the second Test, rebounding from a 214-run defeat in Durban. Temba Bavuma will captain the squad, which still retains pace options such as Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Gerald Coetzee alongside spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer.