Marco Jansen and Gerald Coetzee are set to return to action in November after being rested for South Africa’s white-ball tour of the UAE, where they will play against Afghanistan and Ireland. Both players are currently in the middle of a 12-week conditioning program designed by Cricket South Africa (CSA) to manage their workloads and prevent injuries.
Neither Jansen nor Coetzee has played for South Africa since June. Jansen was rested from the West Indies Tests due to a shoulder concern, while Coetzee sustained a hip injury just before those matches. CSA recognized the importance of managing their fast bowlers to keep them in peak condition for future games.
Rob Walter, South Africa’s white-ball coach, explained that both players had been showing chronic physiological issues common among fast bowlers. He emphasized the need to give them a break to ensure they can perform at their best. With the increasing demands on young fast bowlers, CSA aimed to prevent long-term injuries by implementing this conditioning block.
Similarly, premier bowler Kagiso Rabada has been given an extended break ahead of a packed schedule. South Africa will play two Test matches against Bangladesh in October, followed by two-Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Rabada’s rest period is seen as essential, given the non-stop cricket that awaits him, including the SA20, Champions Trophy, and IPL.
Walter highlighted that maintaining Rabada’s high pace is crucial for his effectiveness, and rest is vital to achieve this. The collaboration between him and red-ball coach Shukri Conrad ensures South Africa’s top bowlers are fit and firing for Test cricket.
With Rabada unavailable, Lungi Ngidi and Ottneil Baartman will spearhead the pace attack in the UAE. Anrich Nortje, who is recovering from stress fractures, has also been omitted. South Africa is broadening its player pool for future challenges, resting key spinners Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi, and batters David Miller and Heinrich Klaasen.
Walter emphasized the need to develop a larger group of players capable of winning games for South Africa. Relying on the same players, he said, would be risky in the face of potential injuries or retirements, making this UAE tour a valuable opportunity for new players to gain international experience.
