Kwena Maphaka ruled out of South Africa’s ODI series against Australia with hamstring strain

South Africa have been dealt another injury setback ahead of their ODI series against Australia, with young pace bowler Kwena Maphaka ruled out after sustaining a right hamstring strain during training. Lizaad Williams was confirmed as his replacement on September 23, 2026.

Maphaka’s withdrawal extends a damaging run of pace bowling injuries for the hosts. Kagiso Rabada, Ottneil Baartman and Lungi Ngidi had already been sidelined with hamstring problems before this latest development. Baartman’s injury was confirmed on September 12, with Duan Jansen named as his cover, while Ngidi followed on September 18 and was replaced by Nqobani Mokoena.

The three ODIs are set for Durban on September 24, Johannesburg on September 27 and Potchefstroom on September 30, giving South Africa very little time to settle their pace attack before the series begins.

Who is Lizaad Williams and what does he offer South Africa?

Williams made his ODI debut in 2021 and has accumulated eight caps at that level, making him one of the more experienced options available given the current circumstances. His international background gives him an edge over some of the other recently drafted replacements in the squad.

Jansen and Mokoena, who came in to cover for Baartman and Ngidi respectively, hold just four ODI caps between them. Gerald Coetzee is another pace option in the squad but has not featured in an ODI since November 2023, meaning South Africa are relying heavily on bowlers with limited recent exposure in the 50-over format. Williams’s familiarity with international conditions makes his inclusion a practical choice under the circumstances.

What comes next after the ODIs for South Africa and Australia?

Once the three-match ODI series concludes, a South Africa XI will take on Australia in a two-day practice match scheduled for October 3 and 4. The first Test of a three-match series then gets under way in Durban on October 9, followed by the second in Gqeberha on October 18 and the third in Cape Town on October 27.

South Africa are continuing to monitor the fitness of Rabada and Ngidi ahead of the Test leg of the tour, though no confirmed return dates have been provided for either bowler. The full updated ODI squad is listed below.

South Africa full ODI squad for the Australia series

Temba Bavuma (captain), Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Tony de Zorzi, Bjorn Fortuin, Duan Jansen, Marco Jansen, Nqobani Mokoena, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, David Miller, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Tristan Stubbs, Lizaad Williams.