- South Africa name XI for third Test against Australia at Newlands The Proteas, level at 1-1 in the series, will be without Anrich Nortje at Newlands as the decider gets under way on October 27, 2026.
- South Africa name XI for third Test against Australia at Newlands (Photo Source: Proteas Men) South Africa have confirmed their playing XI for the third and deciding Test against Australia at Newlands, Ce Town, with the match scheduled to run from October 27 to 31, 2026.
- Temba Bavuma leads the team in a crucial series with both teams tied 1-1 after two tests.
South Africa name XI for third Test against Australia at Newlands The Proteas, level at 1-1 in the series, will be without Anrich Nortje at Newlands as the decider gets under way on October 27, 2026.
South Africa name XI for third Test against Australia at Newlands (Photo Source: Proteas Men) South Africa have confirmed their playing XI for the third and deciding Test against Australia at Newlands, Ce Town, with the match scheduled to run from October 27 to 31, 2026. Temba Bavuma leads the team in a crucial series with both teams tied 1-1 after two tests. The Proteas are compelled to make one change from their previous XI.
Fast bowler Anrich Nortje is out due to injury and will be replaced by fellow fast bowler Gerald Coetzee. This will be Coetzee’s first Test pearance since November 2024, meaning he returns to the longest format after a break of almost two years. On the Australian side, opening batsman Nic Maddinson was left out of the squad.
There are also concerns over former ctain Steven Smith, whose availability for the third Test is in doubt due to a neck injury. Australia had won the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa leveled the contest. How did the series reach a turning point in Newlands?
South Africa leveled the series in the second Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, where they triumphed by an innings and 31 runs. This stunning victory led to a winner-take-all final at Newlands in Ce Town. Starting XI for the third Dafabet Test against Australia 🚨 #TheProteas ctain Temba Bavuma confirms the starting XI for tomorrow’s third and final Dafabet Test, the series is on the line at YesPlay Newlands.
🇿🇦 🔁 A change for #TheProteas sees Gerald Coetzee replace Anrich… pic.twitter.com/lRZobnN0OQ — Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 26, 2026 South Africa will enter the competition with increased confidence as reigning World Test Championship champions. The Proteas won the prestigious title by defeating Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s in London, marking a significant achievement in their Test cricket journey. They will now look to build on that success and demonstrate their strength in the longest format when the two teams meet again in Ce Town.
Australia, South Africa Leaders: Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
