Wednesday, and the morning after a hiding is always about who comes back. Welcome to Fluit’s Five: Rabada, Gqeberha and a Proteas selection meeting that suddenly matters a lot. There is no big South African fixture today, so grab a coffee and argue with us instead.
1. The Big One: Fluit’s Five Rabada Gqeberha, KG is nearly back
The best news of a bruising week arrived quietly. Kagiso Rabada, rested from Kingsmead as a precaution after a hamstring injury picked up in training, is on track for the second Test at St George’s Park from Sunday, the ICC reports. He was bowling on the outfield during breaks in the Durban Test, and he has not played a competitive match since May.
The catch is who makes way. The ICC names Anrich Nortje as the likeliest casualty, which feels harsh on a man who, AAP notes, sent down 40 overs in his first Test in more than three years. Temba Bavuma has also hinted at conversations with players who are not delivering. AAP recalls the 2018 home series against Australia: Rabada took 23 wickets at 19.26 and South Africa won 3-1. No pressure, KG.
2. The Matchday Move: the big two go clear
While Chiefs were held at FNB Stadium, the two MTN8 finalists treated Tuesday like a statement. Mamelodi Sundowns won 4-1 at Richards Bay, Iqraam Rayners scoring twice, and Orlando Pirates put three past TS Galaxy at Orlando Stadium. Sundowns sit top on 23 points from nine games, unbeaten. Pirates are one point behind with a game in hand.
Three days after Moses Mabhida, neither side looked tired. That is the scary part for the chasing pack. The Betway Premiership table.
3. The Talking Point: unbeaten, and still not happy
Kaizer Chiefs have not lost a league game this season. They have also drawn five of their eight, including the last three in a row, after Tuesday’s 1-1 with Stellenbosch. Three wins, five draws, 14 points, fourth.
So which is it? Our view: a team that never loses has a foundation, and Amakhosi supporters have known leaner years. But draws pile up, and that is how a title push quietly dies in October. SNL24 reports a CAF Confederation Cup double-header against Red Arrows comes next. More on what the numbers hide later today. Stellenbosch’s own account of Tuesday night.
4. The Stat That Matters: 6/49
That was Josh Hazlewood’s return in South Africa’s second innings at Kingsmead, the best figures of his Test career, according to the ICC. Six of the ten wickets, much of the damage done once the second new ball arrived.
Why it matters: the Proteas lost the Test by 214 runs, and the bowler who broke Tuesday’s fifth-wicket stand is still fresh enough to do it again on Sunday. Whoever bats in the top six in Gqeberha needs a plan for the new ball, not just for the spinners. How the final day unfolded.
5. The One to Watch: the Springbok Women in Athlone
Flying under the radar this week: the Springbok Women have named a 30-player squad for two Tests against Ireland in the WXV Global Series, at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town, on Saturday 24 and Saturday 31 October. SA Rugby says they are the side’s last two Tests of the year.
RugbyPass reports that co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September kept faith with the group that beat Spain 20-0 in Seville, with Babalwa Latsha named captain. Home crowd, Irish opposition, a year to finish well. Tickets are on sale now. SA Rugby on the squad.
So, for the braai: if Rabada is fit, do you drop Nortje after 40 honest overs, or leave out a batter instead? Pick one, and defend it.