South Africa have been dealt an early blow in their bid for the 2023 ICC men’s ODI World Cup as both Anrich Nortje and Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the tournament due to injuries.

Nortje and Magala were named in South Africa’s provisional squad for the upcoming World Cup, but have not been passed fit to travel to India for the World Cup.

Both the fast bowlers featured in South Africa’s recent 3-2 series victory over Australia, but were not able to play a huge role as their respective injuries restricted their participation.

Nortje played just one ODI in the series and bowled only five overs, in which he went for 58 runs, while Magala bowled only four overs and went for 46 from his only game in the series as well.

This will be the second successive ODI World Cup that Norjte will be missing following his absence from the 2019 edition as well where he injured his hand before the tournament began. This time, it’s a persistent back issue that has ruled him out of the World Cup.

Magala, on the other hand, has a dodgy knee which caused him discomfort after bowling four overs in the third ODI against Australia. Consequently, he too has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Nortje is one of the fastest bowlers in world cricket and would be a huge miss for South Africa at the World Cup, particularly given his experience of playing in Indian conditions. Magala was part of the Chennai Super Kings squad as well earlier this year in the IPL but didn’t play many games.

Nortje, Magala out: Who replaces them?

Andile Phehlukwayo and Lizaad Williams have replaced Magala and Nortje respectively in South Africa’s World Cup squad. Phehlukwayo made a successful return to international cricket recently in the ODI series against Australia while Williams played the T20I series against them before the ODIs.

🟡 #CWC23 TEAM UPDATE 🟢

White-ball head coach Rob Walter today confirmed that Anrich Nortje & Sisanda Magala have been ruled out of the @cricketworldcup in India 🇿🇦🏆

✅ Andile Phehlukwayo & Lizaad Williams

❌Sisanda Magala & Anrich Nortje #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/WhDiCNDNjY

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) September 21, 2023

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