Bavuma and van der Dussen return to South Africa's Test squad for Australia tour

Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma make their return to South Africa's Test side for the three-match series against Australia starting on December 17 in Brisbane.

There is a new face in the 16-man squad as well with Gerald Coetzee earning his maiden red-ball call-up on the back of topping the wickets charts for Knights in the four-day franchise series last season. The 22-year-old fast bowler had also made waves as a teenager in the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, finishing as South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker.

South Africa's batting will come under the scanner, especially after the performance in their most recent Test series, where they ended a tour of England by being bowled out twice in two days. Bavuma (elbow) and van der Dussen (finger) regaining full fitness should ease some of those concerns, but they will have to find a way to compensate for losing Keegan Petersen.

With Aiden Markram omitted again - like he was at the Oval in September - that burden may fall on the shoulders of Khaya Zondo and Theunis de Bruyn, the Titans batter who hasn't played any international cricket since 2019. De Bruyn comes into this squad on the back of an important hundred in first-class cricket playing for the same side as Test captain Dean Elgar.

First-choice spinner Keshav Maharaj has recovered from the groin injury he sustained during the T20 World Cup and has been cleared to play on in Australia. Simon Harmer will continue to be his back-up.

The fast bowling attack picked itself. Kagiso Rabada will have fond memories of playing Test cricket in Australia. In his first ever series there, with South Africa losing Dale Steyn to injury mid-match, he upped his game and inspired them to a famous series victory. Anrich Nortje, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Glenton Stuurman and young Coetzee will be on hand as support with Duanne Olivier and Lutho Sipamla left out.

Back-up wicketkeeper Ryan Rickleton has injured his ankle, prompting the selectors to bring in Heinrich Klaasen, who hasn't played a red-ball match in international cricket since his debut in 2019.

South Africa depart for Australia on December 1. They are currently No. 2 on the World Test Championship table but face stiff competition in the race to the final to be played in England in June 2023.

National Convenor of Selectors Victor Mpitsang said: "We are pleased with the group of players that have been assembled for this tour. I think the selectors now have a core group of Proteas that has been built and it is just about building on what we have.

"Overall, all the players selected undoubtedly have the ability to play at the highest level, and evidence of that is our standing on the ICC World Test Championship table. We are confident that if they play to their ability, we can challenge Australia in their conditions."