Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Keshav Maharaj make way as the Proteas look to respond to their 214-run defeat in Durban.

Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bowl at St George’s Park on Sunday after rain cleared ahead of the start.

Ackerman is listed to open alongside Aiden Markram, with David Bedingham at No 3 and captain Temba Bavuma at No 4.

Matthew Breetzke also comes into the side after replacing Stubbs in the squad for the second Test. He will bat at No 5, while Ryan Rickelton moves down to No 6 and takes over the wicketkeeping duties from Verreynne.

Rabada joins Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Wiaan Mulder among the seam options. Simon Harmer retains his place as the Proteas’ specialist spinner, with Maharaj left out.

Australia have also changed their bowling attack, replacing Nathan Lyon with Scott Boland as they opted for an all-pace frontline attack under overcast skies.

Although Lyon has been omitted for pink-ball Tests in recent times, this is the first time since the 2013 Ashes that a fully fit Lyon has been left out of a day Test.

Boland joins Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with Beau Webster offering further seam support. The visitors have retained their batting line-up from the opening Test.

Australia lead the three-match series 1-0.

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje.

Australia XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.

Photo: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images