South Africa have suffered another pace bowling setback ahead of their three-match ODI series against Australia, with Lungi Ngidi confirmed unavailable after sustaining a right hamstring injury in a domestic first-class match between the Titans and the Dolphins. Scans carried out on September 18 2026 established that Ngidi requires a rehabilitation period and will miss all three ODIs.
Twenty-year-old fast bowler Nqobani Mokoena has been named as his replacement in the squad. Mokoena made his ODI debut during South Africa’s tour of Namibia and is presently featuring for the Dolphins in a first-class fixture against Western Province. On the opening day of that match, he sent down 19 overs and finished with figures of 1 for 78.
Ngidi’s absence compounds a significant problem in South Africa’s pace department. Kagiso Rabada was already ruled out of the ODI series after damaging his hamstring in winter training, a period that has kept him away from competitive cricket since the IPL concluded in May. Ottneil Baartman is also unavailable with a hamstring injury, and Duan Jansen was called up as his replacement before Ngidi’s setback emerged. South Africa now head into the series without three of their senior pace options.
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How did Ngidi sustain the injury?
Ngidi was bowling for the Titans in their domestic first-class match against the Dolphins when the injury occurred. He completed 8 overs in the Dolphins’ first innings and bowled 8.3 overs in the second innings before he was forced to leave the field. Scans on September 18 2026 confirmed the extent of the damage and ended his involvement in the ODI series.
A decision on Ngidi’s availability for the Test series against Australia, which is scheduled to begin on October 9 2026, will be taken closer to that date. The timing of the injury, coming in a domestic fixture rather than international cricket, will be a source of frustration for South Africa’s management as they prepare for a high-stakes series across both formats.
Who leads South Africa’s pace attack for the ODI series?
With Ngidi, Rabada and Baartman all sidelined, Marco Jansen is set to front South Africa’s pace bowling for the ODI series. Duan Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee and Kwena Maphaka are also available for selection, and Mokoena’s addition gives the side a young fast-bowling option within the group.
South Africa’s three ODIs against Australia are scheduled for September 24, September 27 and September 30 2026. The series represents an important preparation window ahead of the Test campaign, making the depth of the pace attack a pressing concern for the coaching staff as they finalise their plans.
