Proteas set for Rabada boost as Bavuma looks for response | ICC World Test Championship | ICC

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has revealed pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada is likely to feature in the second ICC World Test Championship fixture against Australia that commences on Sunday.

Rabada hasn't played any cricket since he featured for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League in May, with the pacer sitting out the opening Test of the series against Australia as he continues to recover from the hamstring injury he picked up in training.

But Rabada is closing in on a return to competitive action, with Bavuma suggesting the 31-year-old was progressing well and in line for a recall to the Proteas' lineup for the crucial second Test in Gqeberha.

"KG (Rabada) looks good," Bavuma said after South Africa's 214-run loss to Australia in the first Test in Durban.

"I think SuperSport (South African broadcaster) kept showing him on the big screen bowling (during breaks in play).

"He's bubbly as ever within the changing room. And his non-selection was more from a precautionary point of view to give him the extra couple of days.

"So now he's got the extra couple of days. We'll see how he continues to improve. But KG is very good."

If Rabada does return for the second Test then it is likely fellow pacer Anrich Nortje will be the one to make way after he made a succesful return to Test cricket in Durban, while a host of his teammates could face competition for their place in the side following some indifferent form against the Aussies.

Opener Ryan Rickelton failed to reach double figures from his two knocks at Kingsmead, attacking batter Tristan Stubbs failed to flatter, while keeper Kyle Verreynne was also out cheaply in both innings as Australia cruised to an easy victory.

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Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson are among the other pace bowling options the Proteas may consider for the second Test, while uncapped batter Marques Ackermann and bowling all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy were other members of the squad that didn't feature in Durban that may also come under contention.

But Baavuma suggested the need for bulk changes, with the South Africa skipper indicatiing he would likely stick with the bulk of the team that featured in the first Test and back them to be ready to perform better when the series moves south to Gqeberha.

"The guys that you saw who took the field are guys that we have full confidence in," Bavuma said.

"Going forward, there's going to be conversations that need to happen. Guys understand that's just how professional, high-level sport goes. If you're not delivering the goods and if there is someone else who's waiting in the wings, they'll get that opportunity.

"It is disappointing. It's not the way you want to start a series, any kind of series, let alone just against a top outfit like Australia.

"The emotions are obviously still a little bit high. You probably want that to settle before you get into the conversations but there are obvious things that we could definitely improve on. No one is happy in that change-room, looking at the result that has played out."

South Africa squad for first Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne