All-rounder Jack Edwards is making his ODI debut for Australia after Mitchell Marsh won the toss and chose to field in the first game of the three-match series against South Africa in Durban.
Australia came into the series fresh off a 3-0 sweep of their ODI series in Zimbabwe, but haven't won a bilateral series against South Africa since 2014.
NSW's Edwards, a 26-year-old seam bowling allrounder, has played one T20 for Australia against Pakistan earlier this year in Lahore.
All-rounder Cameron Green missed the series against Zimbabwe but was included in the playing XI for Thursday's match after recovering from a shoulder injury while pace star Mitch Starc will also play his first match of the tour.
Alex Carey was omitted, making way for Josh Inglis as wicketkeeper.
South Africa are battling with a lengthy injury list with four of their frontline bowlers including Kagiso Rabada and Kwena Maphaka ruled out of the series due to hamstring injuries.
Skipper Temba Bavuma, who would have fielded had he won the toss, said injuries meant that it will be a test of South Africa's depth in the bowling department.
Fast bowler Gerald Coetzee is making a comeback to ODIs after more than three years since last playing at the 2023 World Cup with Marco Jansen leading the pace attack.
South Africa also included two specialist spinner Bjorn Fortuin and Keshav Maharaj with the tacky wicket expected to suit slow bowlers later in the game.
South Africa: Quinton de Kock, Tony de Zorzi, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj.
Australia: Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (captain), Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Green, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood.
- with The AP
