South Africa v Australia, first Test: match preview

Match facts

Who: South Africa v Australia

 

What: First Test, Qantas Tour of South Africa

 

When: October 9-13 first ball 9.30am local (5.30pm AEST)

 

Where: Kingsmead, Durban

 

Live scores: Match Centre

 

How to watch: All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

 

How to listen: Both ABC and SEN will be broadcasting this series for those who prefer to listen over the wireless. 

 

News and reactions post-play: cricket.com.au and the CA Live app. The Unplayable Podcast will also be dropping a new episode after each days' play during the Ashes. Join host Josh Schonafinger and Louis Cameron to recap all the action and talking points from the MCG. And you can listen to the back catalogue of episodes below.

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First Test session times

First Session: 9.30am – 11.30am (5.30pm – 7.30pm AEST)

 

Second Session: 12.10pm – 2.10pm (8.10pm – 10.10pm AEST)

 

Third Session: 2.30pm – 4.30pm (10.30pm – 12.30am AEST)

 

*An extra 30 minutes is available to complete daily overs

Full series schedule

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

The squads

South Africa squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne

South Africa went big with their first-Test squad, picking 18 players including the injured Kagiso Rabada, suggesting his hamstring is potentially not as bad as first thought. However, the large group includes three spinners, five out-and-out quicks and a maiden call-up for 30-year-old batter Marques Ackerman.

Coach Shukri Conrad has given himself plenty of options with this varied collection of players but all eyes will be on the fitness and availability of Rabada and fellow quicks Gerald Coetzee and Anrich Nortje.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

Australia were forced into a squad change when reserve wicketkeeper Josh Inglis returned to Perth after breaking his finger. Inglis is scheduled to re-join the group for the second Test in Gqeberha, but in the meantime it saw Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper called into the squad. Coach Andrew McDonald explained the dual inclusions served different purposes: Maddinson was recalled for his batting versatility and Harper brought in for his wicketkeeping. 

Cameron Green's abdominal strain has ruled him out of the opening Test, but will remain in South Africa in the hopes of playing a part later in the series.

The Aussies have two frontline spinners in Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann, in case the Durban surface dries out dramatically ahead of Friday. All five quicks had a solid bowl at training on Tuesday including captain Pat Cummins.

The XIs

South Africa XI (possible): Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Gerald Coetzee 

The big question marks in the Proteas' order are around No.3, No.5 and how many bowlers they play.

Wiaan Mulder, Tristan Stubbs and Tony de Zorzi have all be tried at first drop in the past two years. David Bedingham and Marques Ackerman are both in the running for a middle order spot, with the latter captain and No.4 for Durban's local side the Dolphins. 

And then it comes down to the bowling attack. Three quicks and two spinners is a genuine possibility given Marco Jansen's batting ability, which would push wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne up to No.6. However, Jansen's past 11 Test innings have all come at No.8 or lower, suggesting four bowlers has been the trend for this side in the recent past. 

Australia XI (possible): Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Nic Maddinson, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australia's biggest headaches now seem to concern the No.5 and No.7 positions. Marnus Labuschange's tour-game hundred has essentially locked him into first drop, while coach McDonald said Travis Head would "likely" remain as opener. 

Cameron Green's injury leaves the recalled 34-year-old Nic Maddinson as a genuine chance to reprise his spot in Australia's middle order, a decade after he last played. Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly will contest the No.7 role, with Webster's seamers now extra valuable given Green's absence.

With a full contingent of quicks to pick from, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc are, of course, the most likely trio to be selected. In regards to picking both Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann, "It would have to be quite compelling for us to shift into two spinners," McDonald said.

Players to watch

Aiden Markram: The stylish South African batter is one who seems to save his best for Australia. The right-hander was the player of the match in last year’s World Test Championship final against the Aussies, with his fourth-innings century winning the Proteas their first WTC mace. He averages 61.6 against Australia, more than 26 runs higher than his overall average (35.46). He also produced two stunning tons (143 in Durban, 152 in Joburg) during the 2018 series when he was only 23 years old.

Steve Smith: The former Australian captain will be bracing for a vociferous welcome from the home fans as the memories from the ball-tampering saga are rehashed. However, it might bring out his best. The star batter copped a ferocious verbal barrage from England fans in 2019 and he produced the best series of his life. Now set to deal with South African punters who have had eight years to work on their material, will Smith’s response via runs be just as effective? 

Local knowledge

Australia are on a three-Test winning streak at Durban, dating back to 2006.

In 2018, the series began at Kingsmead with the Aussies winning by 118 runs. In 2009, it held the second Test of the series, famous for Phillip Hughes’ twin tons as Australia shot out to an expected 2-0 series lead. Likewise in 2006, it was the venue for the second Test, with Shane Warne spinning the tourists to victory with six wickets on route to a 112-run win.

It was South Africa's spinners who dominated the ODI here on September 24, with left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj (4-20) and Bjorn Fortuin (2-34) putting Australia's batters to the sword on a responsive surface. 

In the two Tests held here since the Covid pandemic, pace has reigned supreme with 46 wickets (at 22.51) to spin's 26 (at 27.11). 

Why all the chat about Sandpapergate?

That has been a rather large talking point! Even though the ball-tampering saga that saw suspensions handed out to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft took place eight years ago, this will be Australia’s first Test tour to South Africa since that series in 2018.

There was series scheduled in 2021, but it was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic. The Aussies however have been back to the Rainbow Nation for white-ball tours in 2020 and 2023, while South Africa toured Down Under for a Test series in 2022-23.

Form guide

Past 10 matches, most recent first. W: win, L: loss, D: draw

South Africa: WWWLWWWWWW

It's been a long time since their last Test, but it's an impressive form line for South Africa. The Proteas defeated India, in India, 2-0 in November 2025, taking their record from their past 14 matches to 13 wins and one loss (to Pakistan in Lahore). Of course, that stretch includes victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final in June 2025.

Australia: WLWLWWWWWW

Eight wins from Australia's past 10 Tests, already only two from their past four with losses to Bangladesh (in Darwin) and to England (in Melbourne). This will be the Aussies' first overseas Test since July 2025, where they thrashed West Indies in the day-nighter in Kingston, Jamaica. 

World Test Championship

It's 1v2. A top-of-the-table clash and a rematch of last cycle's WTC final. 

Although South Africa dropped a Test to Pakistan, their 2-0 win over India has put them in a strong position to qualify for the 2027 decider as well with plenty of home Tests coming up. 

Australia meanwhile need to continue banking wins. Even though they have started strongly, a few dropped games against SA, or against New Zealand or India to come would see them slide down the rankings.  

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: October 9-13, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6:30pm AEDT (9:30am local)

Second Test: October 18-22, St George's Park, Gqeberha, 7pm AEDT (10am local)

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa's first Test preliminary squad: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster