Lungi Ngidi Ruled Out as South Africa Suffer Fresh Injury Blow
South Africa has suffered another fast bowling hit ahead of their three-match one-day international series against Australia. Lungi Ngidi was ruled out owing to a right hamstring injury suffered during a domestic first-class match between the Titans and the Dolphins. Lungi Ngidi will miss all three ODIs and will require rehabilitation, according to scans conducted on September 18, 2026.
His replacement in the squad is Nqobani Mokoena, a 20-year-old fast bowler. Mokoena is currently playing for the Dolphins in a first-class match against Western Province, following his ODI debut on South Africa’s tour of Namibia. He concluded with stats of 1 for 78 after bowling 19 overs on the first day of the match.
Lungi Ngidi’s absence exacerbates a serious situation in South Africa’s pace department. Kagiso Rabada had previously been ruled out of the ODI series after hurting his hamstring during winter training, which has kept him out of competitive cricket since the IPL ended in May.
Prior to the Lungi Ngidi setback, Duan Jansen was called up to replace Ottneil Baartman, who is also out due to a hamstring injury. Three of South Africa’s senior pace options have now withdrawn from the series.
How did Lungi Ngidi become hurt?
Lungi Ngidi was hurt while bowling for the Titans against the Dolphins in a domestic first-class match. Before being forced to leave the field, he bowled 8.3 overs in the second innings and 8 overs in the first for the Dolphins. His participation in the ODI series was called off on September 18, 2026, when scans revealed the full extent of the damage.
Ngidi’s availability for the Test series against Australia, which begins on October 9, 2026, will be decided closer to the date. South Africa’s management will be angered by the injury’s timing, which came during a home game rather than an international contest, as they prepare for a critical series in both formats.
Who will lead South Africa’s pace attack throughout the ODI series?
Marco Jansen will lead South Africa’s fast bowling attack throughout the ODI series, since Ngidi, Rabada, and Baartman are all out. Duan Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, and Kwena Maphaka are also available for selection. Mokoena’s arrival gives the squad a young fast-bowling option.
The three ODIs against South Africa and Australia are scheduled for September 24, 27, and 30, 2026. The coaching team is prioritizing the width of the speed attack as they finalize their tactics, since the series is a critical window of preparation before the Test campaign.
