Proteas captain Temba Bavuma has confirmed that Gerald Coetzee will replace the injured Anrich Nortje for the third and final Test against Australia at Newlands, starting on Tuesday.

With the three-match series level at 1-1, South Africa have an opportunity to secure a significant series victory over Australia, while potentially moving to the top of the ICC Test rankings.

Speaking ahead of the decisive encounter in Cape Town, Bavuma explained the thinking behind Coetzee’s selection, the decision to retain Simon Harmer ahead of Keshav Maharaj and the importance of building on South Africa’s emphatic victory in Gqeberha.

Coetzee Returns to Replace Nortje

Coetzee is set to play his first Test since November 2024, when he claimed four wickets against Sri Lanka in Durban.

The fast bowler has been selected ahead of Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson following Nortje’s withdrawal due to a groin injury sustained during the second Test.

“Yeah, just one change from the previous game. Nortje, obviously he misses out, and Gerald Coetzee will play,” Bavuma confirmed.

The captain explained that Coetzee’s ability to bowl with pace and aggression made him the closest replacement for Nortje.

“I think he’s probably the closest guy in terms of like-for-like for Anrich. In terms of the role Anrich plays in a bowling attack as an enforcer, Gerald does have an extra bit of pace.”

Despite Coetzee’s lengthy absence from Test cricket, Bavuma believes he has the ability to make a significant contribution.

“I think he has to consider the fact that he hasn’t played for a while. He’s been with the team, getting his work in, and he’s a guy who I believe has the ability to make a big play for the team.”

Bavuma emphasised that the decision was based on the balance of the bowling attack rather than a lack of confidence in the other available seamers.

“So I think nothing against the other guys, Corbin and Pato. I think G is closer to like-for-like for Anrich.”

He added that Coetzee’s ability to operate as an enforcer could become particularly important if the Newlands surface becomes less responsive for the bowlers.

“You want the guy who can play the enforcer role, especially when the wicket gets flat, when the wicket gets soft. So Gerald is a guy who can do that.”

Maharaj Misses Out as Harmer Retains His Place

Bavuma also acknowledged the difficulty of leaving Keshav Maharaj out of the starting XI for a second consecutive Test.

The left-arm spinner has been one of South Africa’s most influential Test bowlers, but the Proteas have opted to retain Simon Harmer because of the number of left-handed batters in Australia’s line-up.

“I think it’s one of the tougher decisions to be a part of, right? I mean, Kesh, he’s been a stalwart for us, and he’s won many games for us as a team.”

Bavuma explained that Harmer’s off-spin presents a particular challenge to Australia’s left-handers.

“I think Australia have a plethora of left-handers in their top six, top seven. So a guy like Simon turning it away from them, he becomes a real threat.”

Despite missing out on selection, Maharaj continues to play an important role within the squad.

“Kesh, he’s a team man. He’s one of my confidants within the team, so he will and has been valuable to the team, offering a helping hand tactically as well.”

Bavuma reiterated that the decision was not an easy one.

“That’s one of the tougher decisions I’ve had to be a part of.”

Mulder’s Different Skill Set Could Be Crucial

Wiaan Mulder’s performance in the second Test also earned praise from the Proteas captain.

While Bavuma’s 179 and Marco Jansen’s five-wicket haul attracted much of the attention following South Africa’s innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha, Mulder played an important role in Australia’s second innings.

“Look, he obviously made a big play for us with the ball in that second innings.”

Bavuma believes Mulder provides something different from South Africa’s taller fast bowlers, particularly with his ability to attack the stumps.

“I think he poses a different challenge to batsmen, complements the other taller bowlers, and he’s one of those guys who brings the stumps into play.”

The captain suggested that similar conditions could develop at Newlands, making Mulder an important part of the bowling attack.

“I think this wicket could be similar to St George’s at some point, where you want to bring the stumps into play. And I guess that’s where Wiaan comes into the conversation.”

Bavuma also highlighted Mulder’s overall value as an all-rounder.

“We’ve seen with the bat what he potentially can do. And in the field as well in terms of catching.”

‘It’s Definitely Not Another Game of Cricket’

With South Africa having recovered from their defeat in Durban to level the series, Bavuma made it clear that the significance of the Newlands Test is not lost on the players.

“It’s definitely not another game of cricket.”

The Proteas have the opportunity to defeat Australia in a home Test series, strengthen their position in the World Test Championship and potentially move to number one in the Test rankings.

Bavuma believes the occasion is particularly meaningful for players who have not experienced a series victory over Australia.

“Some guys in the group haven’t tasted this victory over Australia. So it will be nice for them to experience what that means.”

He also reflected on South Africa’s previous tour of Australia, when the Proteas were comprehensively outplayed.

“I think of the last Test series when we played in Australia, where they bullied us in their backyard and they played unbelievable cricket.”

That experience has added motivation ahead of the series decider.

“So I think there’s that motivation from us to, I guess, right those wrongs and also to look after our record, our home record as well, here at home, playing against Australia.”

Bavuma believes the players understand the importance of the occasion without requiring additional motivation.

“The guys are definitely… I don’t feel I have to motivate anyone to ensure that the result goes our way.”

World Test Championship Glory Still Means More Than No. 1 Ranking

South Africa could potentially move to the top of the ICC Test rankings with victory at Newlands, but Bavuma believes winning the World Test Championship remains the greater achievement.

“I think winning the final. Yeah, I definitely think winning the final is just a little bit more to it.”

The captain explained that the occasion and pressure of competing in a one-off final at Lord’s made winning the trophy particularly special.

“You go there, you’re at Lord’s, you’re playing. It’s a once-off game, you have to play at your best.

“I feel like there’s a little bit more to it than that from a sentiment point of view.”

However, he acknowledged the importance of the number one ranking as a reflection of sustained performance.

“I think the number one ranking as well, there’s value in it. It shows that you’ve consistently played well over a certain period of time.”

For Bavuma, though, the World Test Championship trophy remains the priority.

“I think for me, for now, winning the trophy.”

Bavuma Looking to Reset After His 179

Bavuma enters the third Test following his outstanding innings of 179 at St George’s Park, which played a major role in South Africa’s series-levelling victory.

However, the captain admitted that moving on from such a significant personal performance presents its own mental challenge.

“You come off such a high and I guess the challenge is to find a way to get yourself into the right mental space. A space where you are still hungry, desirous of making another big play for the team.”

He believes much of the preparation involves ensuring he remains mentally focused rather than relying on the confidence of his previous innings.

“A lot of that work is mental, I guess.”

Bavuma intends to take the positives from Gqeberha while remaining aware that Newlands could present different conditions.

“Take whatever confidence I get from St George’s. But yeah, really be here and be locked in for the next five days.”

‘You Forget to Embrace What You Have’

Reflecting on his development as a Test batter, Bavuma revealed that his improvement over recent years has come from learning to trust his own strengths rather than attempting to imitate other players.

“I don’t think there’s a single moment or conversation. I think a lot of it was kind of work over a period of time.”

The captain admitted that earlier in his international career, he often searched for a formula that would allow him to become more successful.

“I think the first couple of years, you’re always kind of scratching around, right, trying to find this secret formula or whatever it is that allows you to be successful.”

He recalled looking at players such as AB de Villiers and Hashim Amla, whose contrasting styles offered different examples of success.

“You look at guys like AB, Hash, totally different guys, and one day you think you have to play like AB or you have to play like Hash, and you forget to kind of embrace what you have.”

Bavuma believes accepting his own abilities has been central to his growth.

“Just sticking to, I guess, my skill set, but also the belief that you have, or at least that you’ve built up over all the years.”

He also credited his changing responsibilities away from cricket with helping him develop a healthier perspective on the game.

“There’s also more of an enjoyment factor, you know, about it all, taking on challenges, set certain goals, set certain visions that you want to achieve personally as a team.”

Newlands Set for a Decisive Five Days

Bavuma expects a competitive contest at Newlands, particularly with the weather forecast appearing more favourable than during the opening two Tests.

The captain acknowledged that playing Test cricket in Cape Town in October presents an unfamiliar challenge.

“It’s quite new to us, firstly, playing at Newlands this time of the year.”

He expects the surface to provide opportunities for the batters once they become established.

“The wicket generally is a good wicket. So I think the batters will be smiling if they’re able to get themselves in.”

The Proteas will also need to manage the workload of their bowlers following the second Test, where they enforced the follow-on and had to operate without Nortje for much of the match.

“We understand that for us to be a winning team, we’re going to spend a lot of time in the field.”

With Coetzee now available, Bavuma hopes the bowling workload can be distributed more evenly.

“We’ve got the extra seamer now. Hopefully, everyone is able to finish their overs, their allocation there.”

The captain believes the first two Tests have demonstrated how quickly momentum can shift between two closely matched sides.

“It shows that I guess that’s a fine line between winning and losing when two top teams come together.”

For Bavuma, the series has also provided an opportunity for South Africa to demonstrate that their World Test Championship success was not an isolated achievement.

“I’d like to believe and feel that we are speaking to the tag or label of us being champions.”

With the series level at 1-1, the Proteas now have an opportunity to complete their comeback against Australia and secure a significant home series victory.

“The next five days, hopefully that’s the cherry on the top.”

The third and final Test between South Africa and Australia begins at YesPlay Newlands Cricket Ground on Tuesday, 27 October.

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