Former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs has called for significant changes to the Proteas line-up ahead of the 2nd Test against Australia, scheduled for October 18-22, 2026 at St George's Park, Gqeberha.
Gibbs wants Kagiso Rabada to replace spinner Simon Harmer, uncapped Marques Ackerman to come in for Kyle Verreynne, and Ryan Rickelton to shift down the order and take on wicketkeeping duties. Gibbs outlined his preferred bowling attack as a pace trio of Rabada, Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje, supported by all-rounder Wiaan Mulder and spinner Keshav Maharaj.
The call comes after South Africa lost the 1st Test at Durban, where they failed to chase 421 runs and were bowled out for 206 in their second innings, with Josh Hazlewood taking 6 wickets. The defeat ended captain Temba Bavuma's run of 12 consecutive Tests unbeaten as South Africa skipper.
"Kg comes in harmer , so 3 quicks plus mulder and Maharaj. Ackerman in for Verreynner and ricks shifts down and keeps. No dramas," Gibbs wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Rabada had been ruled out of the 1st Test due to a hamstring injury sustained after the IPL, and his exact fitness status and availability for the 2nd Test selection have not been officially confirmed. Matt Renshaw had scored 190 from 397 balls in Australia's first innings at Durban, putting the Proteas bowlers under sustained pressure throughout that innings.
Why is Gibbs calling for changes to the batting line-up?
Gibbs pointed to the poor recent form of both Verreynne and Rickelton as reasons for the proposed changes. Verreynne has not scored a fifty-plus in his last 8 Tests, managing only 220 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20 since his century against Pakistan in January 2025. Rickelton, meanwhile, has managed only two fifty-plus scores in 12 Tests as opener, with his last score of fifty or more being a 71 against Pakistan in Lahore in October 2025. He also posted single-digit scores at Durban in the 1st Test.
Gibbs proposed that Rickelton shift down the order and become the wicketkeeper, while Ackerman, who is yet to earn a Test cap, comes into the middle order in place of Verreynne. Ackerman's first-class record is substantial: he has accumulated 5,986 runs in 85 matches at an average of 48.66, including 16 centuries and 31 fifties.
What is the series situation heading into the Gqeberha Test?
Australia lead the two-match Test series 1-0 after their victory at Durban. South Africa now face the prospect of needing to win at St George's Park, Gqeberha to level the series. The 2nd Test is scheduled to begin on October 18, 2026.
South Africa's batting was exposed by the Australian pace attack in the 1st Test, and the absence of Rabada from the bowling attack was felt throughout the match. Whether Rabada will be passed fit in time for selection remains unconfirmed, and the official squad announcement will determine how many of Gibbs's proposed changes are actually implemented.
