Tony de Zorzi Ruled Out of Australia Test as South Africa's Hamstring Crisis Deepens
South Africa will begin their home Test series against Australia without opener Tony de Zorzi after the left-hander was ruled out of the Kingsmead opener with a hamstring strain.
The 29-year-old, who has 17 Test caps, hurt himself while fielding during the third one-day international against Australia in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. Cricket South Africa first described the problem as a mild niggle, but scans conducted on Friday revealed the full extent of the damage, and the selectors have decided not to risk him for the first Test, which starts in Durban on October 9.
De Zorzi is the fifth South African player to suffer a hamstring injury in the past two months. Fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka have all been sidelined by the same problem, turning what began as a pace-bowling worry into a squad-wide fitness concern.
No replacement named for Tony de Zorzi
CSA confirmed that no direct replacement would be called up for the opening Test. The selectors will instead trim their 18-member preliminary squad, announced last week, to the usual 15 after a three-day intra-squad match that begins on Sunday.
De Zorzi’s absence opens the door for a possible Test debut for Marques Ackerman, the only uncapped player in the preliminary squad. The Dolphins batter forced his way into contention with strong performances for South Africa A, the highlight a career-best 256 against Bangladesh A. He faces competition from Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham for a place in the top order.
Rabada decision goes down to the wire
South Africa’s worries extend beyond De Zorzi. Rabada, the spearhead of the attack, is also recovering from a hamstring injury picked up during winter training and was named in the preliminary squad only provisionally. Head coach Shukri Conrad said a final call on the pacer would be made after the intra-squad match early next week.
“We will give it [the final decision on Rabada] as much time as humanly possible but we also don’t want to take a call based on desperation,” Conrad said at the squad announcement. “Based on how the three-day match plays out, a day or two after that, I reckon we will make a call.”
Ngidi, Baartman and Maphaka were not considered for the series as they continue their rehabilitation, while Gerald Coetzee, Anrich Nortje and Dane Paterson were recalled to cover the depleted pace stocks.
What the series means
The series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, adding weight to every selection call. South Africa head into the Tests on the back of a 2-1 ODI series win over Australia, but the growing injury list has left the management balancing ambition with caution as the October 9 start approaches.
When does the first Test against Australia start?
The opening Test begins on October 9, 2026, at Kingsmead in Durban, with the match scheduled to run until October 13.
How did Tony de Zorzi get injured?
He suffered a hamstring strain while fielding during the third ODI against Australia in Potchefstroom on Wednesday. Friday scans confirmed the extent of the injury.
Who could replace De Zorzi in the XI?
No direct replacement has been named. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman is the leading contender for a debut, competing with Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder and David Bedingham.
How many South African players have hamstring injuries?
Five in the last two months: De Zorzi, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Ottneil Baartman and Kwena Maphaka.
