South Africa select enforcer Coetzee for Australia decider

Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee is set to replace injured fellow paceman Anrich Nortje in the South African team for the series-deciding third Test against Australia, starting at Newlands on Tuesday.

Australia are currently waiting on the fitness of key batsman Steve Smith, who is recovering from a neck injury.

South African captain Temba Bavuma spoke about the selection at his pre-match press conference on Monday, noting that Coetzee is the closest available like-for-like replacement for Nortje.

Like Nortje, Coetzee is capable of bowling at speeds of up to 150km/h and has experienced lengthy periods on the sidelines due to injuries.

Nortje played in the first two Tests against Australia following a three-year lay-off before being ruled out of the third Test due to a groin injury.

Bavuma emphasized the balance of the attack, explaining that Coetzee and medium-pacer Wiaan Mulder add different strengths to the strike duo of Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.

Australia will delay naming their team until the morning of the match and are expected to make changes in their batting line-up, with Matt Renshaw returning to open and Cameron Green returning in the middle order.