The present invention relates to 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequences from Staphylococcus aureus and their use in a method for detection and/or identification of Staphylococcus aureus . The invention further relates to a method for detection and identification of Staphylococcus aureus in a sample, involving the steps of: (i) optionally releasing, isolating and/or concentrating the polynucleic acids present in the sample; (ii) optionally amplifying the 16S-23S rRNA spacer region, or a part thereof, with at least one primer pair; (iii) detecting the presence of a 16S-23S rRNA spacer sequence; and (iv) identifying the Staphylococcus aureus present in the sample from the nucleic acid(s) detected in the sample.