Australia’s selectors have added Connolly as the other batter to the squad that faced Bangladesh in the second Test in Mackay. Connolly does not have a first-class century and has only batted once at No. 3 and once at No. 4 in 21 first-class innings to date. He was also dropped by Western Australia for the final Sheffield Shield match last summer but bounced back with a stunning ODI century against Bangladesh as opener in June. Josh Inglis is the other spare batter/wicketkeeper in the squad.

Kuhnemann is a surprise inclusion as an additional spinner. He was the second spinner in the World Test Championship final squad again South Africa and for the tour of West Indies that followed in 2025 but was not called up to the Ashes squad in December when Nathan Lyon was omitted, with Victoria offspinner Todd Murphy called in ahead of him although he did not end up playing.

It is unlikely Australia will pick two spinners in an XI in South Africa and there is a possibility they may not even pick one if conditions look extremely favourable to seam bowlers in Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town. Kuhnemann’s inclusion will also help Australia’s batters prepare for South Africa’s spinner Keshav Maharaj.

Neser, meanwhile, has recovered from a calf strain he suffered during a training camp in early August and has been added as the fifth fast bowler alongside Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland.

Cameron Green and Beau Webster are the two allrounders in the squad as they were against Bangladesh and Matt Renshaw has been retained as opener after replacing Jake Weatherald against Bangladesh.

Australia Test squad for tour of South Africa

Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster