Nortje ruled out of Champions Trophy with back injury

Anrich Nortje's absence from the game is set to continue in the wake of him being ruled out of the Champions Trophy. CSA said on Wednesday the fast bowler would miss the tournament and the rest of the SA20 because of a back injury.

A release said Nortje "underwent scans on Monday afternoon which revealed the extent of the injury. He is not expected to recover in time" to play in the Champions Trophy. South Africa's first match is against Afghanistan in Karachi on February 21.

Nortje's inclusion was the highlight of South Africa's squad announcement on Monday. He hasn't played international cricket since June last year, and was last on the field on December 2 in the Abu Dhabi T10.

He opted out of playing Tests in the 2024/25 season to build up his often injured body for the greater demands of the longest format, and to concentrate on furthering his franchise career.

Nortje was picked for South Africa's white-ball series against Pakistan last month, but had his toe broken by a David Miller yorker while batting in the nets.

The latest setback is only the most recent entry on a long list of the problems that have plagued Nortje. Despite being one of the quickest and most respected bowlers in the game, he has yet to play in an ODI World Cup - he missed the 2019 edition with a broken thumb and the 2023 tournament with a suspected stress fracture.

The release said Nortje's replacement would be named "in due course", but Gerald Coetzee seems set to be called up. When he announced the squad, coach Rob Walter said: "Gerald Coetzee played very well in the 2023 World Cup, but it was between him and Anrich Nortje. They offer high pace, both of them. Anrich has more experience and attributes that will stand us in good stead in Pakistan. Gerald has done nothing wrong to not be selected."

Whether Nortje will recover in time to play for Kolkata Knight Riders in this year's IPL is unclear.