Kagiso Rabada picks up right hamstring injury in winter training

A right hamstring injury sustained during winter training has disrupted Kagiso Rabada's preparation ahead of what promises to be South Africa's most demanding home summer in recent memory.

The injury adds an element of uncertainty to South Africa's planning at a critical juncture. Rabada had already been rested from the squad travelling to Namibia next week for a T20I tri-series that also features Zimbabwe, plus three ODIs against Namibia. The board had cited workload management as the reason for his absence from that tour, a decision that also applied to most of the frontline pace attack and to both captains, Temba Bavuma in white-ball cricket and Aiden Markram in red-ball cricket.

As reported by Cricinfo, Cricket South Africa issued a statement on Friday, August 21, confirming the setback and announcing that further assessments are scheduled, though no severity grading or return timeline has been provided. South Africa's home season gets under way in September, when Australia arrive for a series of ODIs followed by three Tests. Rabada is central to the red-ball plans, and further Test assignments against Bangladesh and England are scheduled between November and January, making his fitness a priority for the selectors throughout the summer.

What is known about the injury and when will assessments take place?

Cricket South Africa has confirmed the injury is to Rabada's right hamstring and that it occurred during winter training, describing it as having disrupted his programme. Beyond that, the board has not disclosed the nature or grade of the injury, and no recovery timeline has been communicated publicly. Further assessments are planned, and his availability for the home season will become clearer once those are complete.

A rib concern had ruled the speedster out of South Africa's Test series against India in late 2025, a series the team won 2-0 without him. His most recent Test appearance was in Rawalpindi in October 2025, when South Africa drew the series against Pakistan 1-1. Following that, he featured at the T20 World Cup and in the IPL but was not part of the squads for the MLC or the Hundred.

Which fixtures are at risk and what other injury concerns does South Africa have?

With the home season beginning in September, the ODI and Test series against Australia represent the most immediate fixtures that could be affected if Rabada requires extended recovery time. The subsequent Test series against Bangladesh and England between November and January would also be at risk, given that South Africa are the reigning World Test Championship title holders and will be expected to field their strongest available attack throughout.

There is a separate concern in the A-team setup as well. Senuran Muthusamy, the left-arm spin-bowling allrounder, has been ruled out of the first unofficial Test between South Africa A and Bangladesh A after suffering a lower back spasm. Muthusamy featured in South Africa's Test squad during the subcontinent tour in 2025 and is regarded as a potential contributor as the team looks to defend their World Test Championship title. The two injury concerns together place Cricket South Africa's medical and selection staff under considerable pressure ahead of a packed international programme.