- Series set for dramatic finish as Australia return to Ce Town With series up for grabs, Australia have questions marks around both disciplines while South Africa’s batting has shown it can be shaky The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 While highly unpredictable – with the winners of each Test required to dig out of major early holes with the bat – the end results have been ultimately lopsided.
- Both teams have endured a dud.
- South Africa shook off the cobwebs at Kingsmead after almost a year’s break from Test cricket, while Australia’s headache at St George’s Park was certainly one of their worst performances under Pat Cummins.
Series set for dramatic finish as Australia return to Ce Town With series up for grabs, Australia have questions marks around both disciplines while South Africa’s batting has shown it can be shaky The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins The three who matter: Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah all smiles after dismissing Pat Cummins, India vs Australia, World Cup, Chennai, October 8, 2023 While highly unpredictable – with the winners of each Test required to dig out of major early holes with the bat – the end results have been ultimately lopsided.
Both teams have endured a dud. South Africa shook off the cobwebs at Kingsmead after almost a year’s break from Test cricket, while Australia’s headache at St George’s Park was certainly one of their worst performances under Pat Cummins. Both tests produced grueling results but were ultimately unsuccessful.
The atmosphere was subdued for various reasons, with few spectators in attendance, and – for better or worse – the hostility that often characterized these fiery contests was largely absent. Bad light in Durban and rain in Gqeberha didn’t help. But despite all this, everything is perfectly set up for an exciting finale in Ce Town, where an under-pressure Australia faces the ghosts of the past but is very focused on solving the problems of the present.
Australia are in the early stages of a marathon Test campaign, with the focus on ending long droughts in India and England – likely the last chance for many of this aging squad to achieve success on these major tours. But art from Steven Smith and Nathan Lyon, key figures in Australia’s memorable 2014 triumph, no other member of their team has won a series in South Africa and this pears to be the last chance for many of them. While the infamous Newlands events of eight years ago will no doubt be revisited, there is too much going on in Australia for it all to matter.
Steven Smith was bowled while Ryan Rickelton was at the stumps, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. After Matt Renshaw and the Tail struck cracks in the first game, Australia’s long-standing batting woes could have reached a nadir after a first innings in the second Test. An increasingly excited Australian public is demanding changes and there will be at least one with all-rounder Cameron Green expected to return from injury. But it is not yet clear whether there will be massive changes or whether the selectors could give players like number 1 one last chance.
3 Marnus Labuschagne and the versatile Beau Webster. Steven Smith’s ongoing neck problem also poses a potential problem. To underline the uncertainty, Australia are likely to have a new batting order for this game, but things could look significantly different by the time of the home Test in the summer, with several rivals having made a strong start to the Sheffield Shield season.
While Australia’s woes ahead of the decider grabbed headlines, South Africa have their own selection problems after speedy Anrich Nortje was ruled out of the second Test with a minor groin injury. Gerald Coetzee dismissed Dinesh Chandimal leading to a quick end to the Test, South Africa v Sri Lanka, 1st Test, Durban, Day 4, 30 November 2024. South Africa recovered impressively after suffering their first defeat under the ctaincy of Temba Bavuma. The return of spearhead Kagiso Rabada sparked a full-scale attack that strained and exposed Australia’s weaknesses.
A series win would be particularly pleasing for South Africa, whose 2018 triumph was their first at home against arch-foes Australia since their resumon. It would give them significant momentum ahead of the second half of a successful summer against England. South Africa will move to the top of the Test rankings with a win, which would continue their list of achievements under Bavuma and fit well with the WTC bulk they currently hold.
For Australia, a draw would be enough to retain their leadership status, but they will be hoping for much more to quiet the noise while finding redemon in a port city that has so many negative connotations for them. South Africa WLWWW (last five completed games, most recent first) Australia LWWLW Steven Smith returns to the scene of his career low. This tour hasn’t gone as planned for him so far.
He suffered a concussion in the first Test before suffering a neck problem in the next game. Smith fell tamely to Gqeberha in the second innings, with an unusually wild pull to Rabada at mid-wicket. So far he has lost the battle against his old foe Rabada, with Smith looking strangely uncertain while bowling fast.
The 37-year-old Smith faces doubts over his mortality in Test cricket, although he has already managed to silence the doubters. South Africa has been a difficult field for Smith, who has an average of 35.28 there, compared to a career mark of 55.29. After two Tests each in Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates, Smith averaged over 50 in all other countries.
He hopes to be able to turn back the clock at least once more, which would be an important boost for Australia while giving them the chance to end what is likely to be their last Test match in South Africa with a good result. Similar to Australia in the previous game, South Africa’s batting order struggled before being rescued by a Bavuma masterclass with strong support from the lower order. But the batting still looks shaky and will face a fiery Australian attack that was thwarted in the second Test.
South Africa will look to fly Aiden Markram into the half to set the tone and soften the new ball. He looked great throughout the series, highlighted by a tireless 75 in the second innings at Kingsmead, but could not follow up. Markram will feel primed.
Australia got the best of him with an average of 56.84 and three hundreds from seven Tests. If he can improve on this record at Ce Town, South Africa’s chances of winning the series will increase significantly. Gerald Coetzee has been confirmed as Anrich Nortje’s replacement in an otherwise unchanged South African squad.
South Africa: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Marques Ackerman, 3 David Bedingham, 4 Temba Bavuma (ct), 5 Matthew Breetzke, 6 Ryan Rickelton (week), 7 Wiaan Mulder, 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Simon Harmer, 10 Gerald Coetzee, 11 Kagiso Rabada. Matt Renshaw began his innings in difficult circumstances, South Africa v Australia, 1st Test, Day 1, Durban, 9 October 2026. Cameron Green will return to Australia as an opener with the retirement of Nic Maddinson and the return of Matt Renshaw. Additionally, a number of questions remain and Smith is requesting a back fitness test.
Australia (possible): 1 Travis Head, 2 Matt Renshaw, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith, 5 Cameron Green, 6 Alex Carey (week), 7 Beau Webster, 8 Pat Cummins (ct), 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Josh Hazlewood. There is about 6 mm of grass on the surface, which is also on the drier side. Temba Bavuma said he could play similar to the second Test.
Good news after the rainy second test: predominantly sunny weather with relatively mild temperatures is expected throughout the game. Bavuma needs seven runs to reach 4,000 Test runs. Rabada needs four wickets to become the fourth South African to reach 350 Test wickets.
Marco Jansen has 99 Test wickets. His bowling average of 20.8 is the best by a South African bowler (at least 2000 balls). Since joining, Australia have won four of seven Tests at Newlands but lost three of their last four.
“We have played a lot of first-class cricket here [at this time of year] but the way they prepare first-class wickets compared to Test wickets is obviously very different. Just in terms of everything that comes with the Newlands pitch, it’s something that continues to impress us all. The wicket is generally a good wicket.
The batters will smile if they manage to get in. Luckily the weather doesn’t seem to play a role. We are ready for five exciting days of cricket.” Temba Bavuma on what lies ahead “It feels like the culmination of a huge series.”
It almost seems as if it was inevitable that the game would end 1-1. It feels like the cricket has spoken for itself in the first few weeks. It’s all come together here.
It’s going to be huge. Both teams scored and I can’t wait. This is your grand finale to the rest.
“We will pull out all the stops this week.” Pat Cummims is on the line. With the series to win, Australia have question marks in both disciplines, while the South African batsman has shown he can be fragile. Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma greet each other, Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, Sydney, Day 5, January 8, 2023 SA v Aus – 3rd Test – This is as big as it gets for Africa South and Australia as Newlands welcomes Dezemba early with two tied teams tied at 1-1, the series, the No.1 ranking and perhs even the fate of the WTC crowd hanging in the balance. Alex Carey and Steven Smith shake hands with Temba Bavuma after his 179th, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 3, October 20, 2026 Australia has series to win and has question marks in both disciplines, while South Africa’s batting performance showed it can be shaky, Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma greet each other, Australia v South Africa, 3rd Test, Sydney, Day 5, 8. January 2023. Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper were released from the Test squad to play for their respective teams in the Sheffield Shield. Steven Smith hit on the fingers while attemng a low catch at slip, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 3, October 20, 2026. With a series win in sight, Rickelton says South Africa want to secure their WTC title by beating the best and proving their credentials. Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma revive South Africa, South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 2, October 19, 2026. The new South African wicketkeeper has added a new dimension to their bowling plans by being ready to take on Australian opponents. Ryan Rickelton uses his leg as a second line of defense as Marnus Labuschagne cuts off, South Africa v Australia, 2nd Test, Gqeberha, Day 4, October 21, 2026. Run deductions. England were deducted 2 runs for slow overs in the match against India on July 10, 2025. Pakistan were deducted 8 points for slow overrate in the match against Bangladesh on May 8, 2026. On May 8, 2026, 12 points were deducted for slow overrate in the match against New Zealand on June 18, 2026. The West Indies were deducted 2 points for slow overrate in the match against Sri Lanka on July 7, 2026. Pakistan were deducted 11 points for slow over frequency in the match against England on September 12, 2026. A view of Harrup Park, Australia A v India A, A Team One Day Quadrangular Series, Final, Mackay, 4th September 2016 The magnificent Melbourne Cricket Ground in bloom, Victoria v Queensland, FR Cup, MCG, 6th February 2008 2008 2nd Test, Colombo, 13th December 2007 Galle Fort is in view as Shane Warne bowls, Sri Lanka v Australia, 1st Test, Galle, 2nd Day, 9th March 2004. The Hagley Oval attracted a large crowd, England v Scotland, World Cup 2015, Group A, Christchurch, 23rd February 2015 A wide angle view of the England v South Africa match at Kensington Oval Barbados, England v South Africa, Super Eights, Barbados, January 17, 2007 After the rain the sun shone at Headingley, England v New Zealand, 2nd Investec Test, Headingley, Day 2, May 25, 2013 With the series in sight, Australia have question marks in both disciplines, while South Africa’s batting has shown it can be fragile. Pat Cummins and Temba Bavuma greet each other, Australia vs South Africa 3rd Test, Sydney, Day 5, January 8, 2023 SA vs AUS 2026/27 3rd Test Match Preview SA vs AUS – The series will end dramatically with Australia returning to Ce Town SA vs AUS 2026/27 South Africa vs Australia Match Preview: With the series up for grabs, Australia has question marks in both disciplines while South Africa’s clout has shown that it can be fragile. With series up for grabs, Australia has question marks in both disciplines, while South Africa’s batting has shown it can be fragile.
