Kagiso Rabada returns as Matthew Breetzke and debutant Marques Ackerman come in for the Proteas, who bat first after Australia won the toss and elected to bowl at St George’s Park.
Changes were expected after the Proteas slipped to a disappointing 214-run loss in the first test at Kingsmead in Durban earlier this week, and in the end, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne and Keshav Maharaj paid the price.
It is a slight surprise that Maharaj doesn’t get the nod, with St George’s Park being known as a turning wicket, but after their spinners were largely ineffectual at Kingsmead, which is also known as a turning wicket, the Proteas chose to go with Simon Harmer as their lone main spinning option, freeing up space for Rabada.
On the Australian front, they made one change to their team, with spinner Nathan Lyon out and Scot Boland in, meaning they have backed an all-pace attack for the match.
With the Aussies 1-0 up in the three-match series, the Proteas will be desperate for a strong start to day one as they chase a series-levelling win, although the start of play could be delayed after some drizzle has seen the covers brought onto the field.
PROTEAS: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (capt), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabada
AUSTRALIA: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (capt), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood
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