A ‘mild’ groin injury sustained in Gqeberha has ruled Anrich Nortje out of the third and final Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, with the hosts opting for an otherwise unchanged squad for the decider starting October 27.

Nortje bowled just 3.3 overs in the first innings of the Gqeberha Test, before pulling up with a groin injury that forced him off the field. He took no further part in the contest, although it did not hamper South Africa’s quest for a series-levelling victory, which they achieved by an innings and 31 runs.

South Africa squad for 3rd Test vs Australia: Temba Bavuma (C), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Matthew Breetzke, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne

Nortje’s injury opens the door for one of Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee or Dane Paterson to feature in Cape Town, should South Africa stick to a four-man seam attack. Additionally, they have the services of left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, who was left out in Gqeberha as Simon Harmer was retained as the lone spinner.

Kyle Verreynne has been retained in the squad as the backup wicket-keeper, after being dropped for the second Test with Ryan Rickelton taking the gloves and moving down the order.

With the series level at 1-1, the two teams will contest the decider at Newlands from October 27-31.