Anrich Nortjé and Marques Ackerman have arrived at the same destination—South Africa’s preliminary 18-man squad for Friday’s first Test against Australia at Kingsmead—via vastly different routes. While the experienced Nortjé has been away from the format for more than three-and-a-half years, Ackerman is pushing for a debut after a long, successful domestic career. Anrich Nortjé played the most recent of his 19 Tests more than three-and-a-half years ago. According to “I’ve worked hard my whole career to try to be in this space,” Ackerman, In audio released by CSA on Sunday. “They’ve got something great going on and it’s amazing to be part of that now.
Nortjé has played 104 matches across various formats worldwide, including 21 white-ball internationals, but has not appeared in a first-class match since the series against the West Indies in February and March 2023. During that stretch, he has not bowled more than eight overs in a single game. To prepare for a potential return to the longest format, he has focused on gradually building his red-ball workload. He described the prospect of returning to the red ball as exciting and special, noting that while things are relaxed now, he expects the intensity to ramp up significantly before the first ball is bowled. Playing 104 matches of all shapes and sizes – including 21 white-ball internationals – except at first-class level in South Africa, India, the United States, the Caribbean, Abu Dhabi and Europe, Ackerman has featured in 115 games across the formats in South Africa and England, while Nortjé has been away. That feeling never gets old, Nortjé said: “It’s taken longer than I hoped but it’s nice to be back. And to be with the boys and in the environment, it’s exciting to bowl with the red bull again. It’s nice to be here with the guys and working on X, Y and Z.
For the 30-year-old Ackerman, the opportunity marks the culmination of a lifelong ambition rooted in his upbringing. Having been raised in a family deeply involved in cricket, he has evolved into a highly regarded captain and batter. He has maintained a first-class average of 48.65 with 16 centuries, including a career-best 256 against Bangladesh this year. His leadership helped the Dolphins secure a championship in the 2020/21 season and guided South Africa A to notable victories over the West Indies and Bangladesh.
Reflecting on his journey, Ackerman noted that his love for four-day and Test cricket remains deeply personal. He expressed that he is simply focused on giving his best to the team and enjoying the experience, regardless of what the future holds. Nortjé echoed the sentiment regarding the unique nature of Test cricket, emphasizing that it requires a different mindset centered on endurance, patience, and executing skills during challenging sessions.
The squad is currently gathered in Durban, where the group of 18 will be trimmed to 15 before Friday. The team is currently dealing with several injury concerns, specifically the hamstring issue that forced Tony de Zorzi to withdraw, making him the sixth player sidelined by a recent wave of injuries. While Kagiso Rabada’s participation also hangs in the balance, both Nortjé and Ackerman appear well-positioned to remain in the final selection.
Ackerman faces a competitive field for a middle-order berth, contending with Tristan Stubbs, David Bedingham, and Wiaan Mulder for either the No. 3 or No. 5 batting position. The pressure is high as the team prepares for a series against Australia, a rivalry historically marked by intense moments, ranging from the friction between David Warner and Quinton de Kock in 2018 to the infamous ball-tampering scandal at Newlands. That’s a lot of degrees of difference between the two players.
Despite the history, the current squad holds confidence following South Africa’s victory in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s in June last year—the nation’s first global trophy since 1998. As the players settle into the environment, the focus remains squarely on the upcoming challenge. Both athletes are eager to prove their readiness, with Nortjé admitting that even after his extensive career, the prospect of returning to the Test arena brings him goosebumps.
