South Africa opener Aiden Markram missed training at St George's Park after returning home for personal reasons ahead of the second Test against Australia. However, the right-handed batter is expected to rejoin the squad and play in the match, which begins on Sunday, October 18.

The hosts trail the three-match series 1-0 after suffering a 214-run defeat in Durban. South Africa must win the Gqeberha Test to keep their series hopes alive. Veteran pacer Kagiso Rabada is expected to return, while the pitch conditions could influence their final combination.

Aiden Markram Expected to Play Despite Missing Training

Aiden Markram was the only absentee from South Africa's 17-player squad during Friday's training session. According to Cricinfo, he returned home for personal reasons and is expected to attend Saturday's optional session. His availability is a major boost for the hosts after his performance in Durban.

Markram received on-field treatment for shoulder tightness during the first Test, but the issue was described as minor. He also left The Hundred early and missed the first ODI against Australia for personal reasons.

Aiden Markram has an outstanding record against Australia in Tests. He has scored 728 runs in six Tests at an average of 60.66, with three centuries and two half-centuries. His average is the highest among batters with more than five innings against Australia this century.

He scored 37 in the first innings in Durban and made 75 in the second, facing 237 deliveries during his resistance. However, South Africa fell short while chasing the target of 421 and lost by 214 runs. Aiden Markram's off-spin could also prove useful if the hosts select only one specialist spinner.

Kagiso Rabada's Return Could Change South Africa's Playing XI

South Africa worked on slip catching in Aiden Markram's absence, with David Bedingham, Simon Harmer, Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen forming the cordon. Harmer took his place at second slip, although that does not necessarily mean he will feature in the XI.

Ryan Rickelton is set to take over wicketkeeping duties from Kyle Verreynne. He completed an extended wicketkeeping session followed by batting practice for the second consecutive day, while Verreynne assisted the coaching staff with throwdowns.

Matthew Breetzke and Marques Ackerman also had extensive net sessions against Anrich Nortje, Jansen, Mulder and Rabada. They are expected to come into the lineup after Tristan Stubbs was dropped and Rickelton moved down the batting order.

Rabada's return would strengthen South Africa's pace attack after he missed the Durban Test with a hamstring issue. He could replace Harmer, while Keshav Maharaj remains an option if the hosts decide to field one spinner.

South Africa’s Selection Dilemma Ahead of Second Test

South Africa's selectors face a decision over whether to play one specialist spinner or include two. Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy are competing for places, but the conditions in Gqeberha may influence the final combination.

The surface appeared close to ready on Friday, with little live grass visible. Forecast rain could also affect the early stages of the match. Previous Tests at the venue have shown that spin can play a decisive role.

In 2022, Maharaj and Harmer bowled unchanged for 23.3 overs and took all 10 Bangladesh wickets. In the 2024 Test, Maharaj and Sri Lanka's Prabath Jayasuriya claimed five-wicket hauls in the final two innings.

However, those matches took place between December and April, when summer heat had more time to bake the surface. Sunday's fixture will be the earliest Test played at St George's Park and the venue's first in the period between mid-April and mid-November, making the pitch's behaviour less predictable.