Marnus maintained in Test squad for South Africa showdown

Marnus Labuschange has retained his spot in Australia's Test squad and will travel to South Africa as part of a 16-player group for next month's blockbuster three-match series against the Proteas.

Labuschagne's position loomed as the main point of discussion after the Aussies drew 1-1 with Bangladesh in August. Selectors have opted against major change, with Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and Michael Neser added to an otherwise unchanged squad from the Mackay Test, where Australia completed a crushing innings victory over Bangladesh.

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

The series will mark the first time Australia's Test side has returned to South Africa since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering saga. Only five players remain from that trip; Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Steve Smith and Mitch Starc, as well as Matthew Renshaw who was flown over for the final match of the series after Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended.

Left out of Australia's ODI squad last week, Labuschagne held his spot in the squad after scores of 1, 31 and 4 in the Tests against Bangladesh. It's been more than three years since his most recent Test century (a draw-saving 111 against England in Manchester in 2023) and the 32-year-old has averaged 24.69 in 43 innings since that match.

Since establishing himself in the 2019 Ashes series, he has held a monopoly on Australia's No.3 position (95 innings) with Cameron Green the only other batter to have more than one innings (eight) at first drop.

Labuschagne's record in his native South Africa, albeit from a small sample of ODIs, is strong. His only two international centuries in 50-over cricket have come in the country of his birth (Potchefstroom in 2020 and Bloemfontein in 2023) and he averages more than 60 from eight innings.

Connolly's selection is another indication the selectors see the 23-year-old in their long-term plans, following his breakthrough innings of 149 in a June ODI against Bangladesh.

The West Australian made his Test debut in Sri Lanka in early 2025, batting at No.8 as a support spinner alongside the more experienced Lyon and Kuhnemann.

However, it's Connolly's recent exploits with the bat that have earned him this opportunity, given a back complaint has kept him out of the bowling crease since sending down three overs in the Sheffield Shield in March.

Selection chair George Bailey admitted there will need to be some "reintegration" of his bowling, which could happen in the preceding ODI series.

"This is a reasonably condensed three-game series, on the back of six one-day internationals, with only short breaks between each game," Bailey said in a statement today. "The squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face."

Kuhnemann's selection as the second spinner sees him selected over Victorian Todd Murphy, who was brought into the squad as Lyon's injury replacement for the final two Tests of the Ashes last summer.

There may be a genuine conversation on playing the left-armer Kuhnemann in tandem with Lyon when the series reaches the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth); since the Covid pandemic it is the only venue in South Africa that has seen more wickets fall to spin than to pace.

Ashes hero Neser admitted the prospect of playing a Test in South Africa – the country of his birth - would "be like a little kid's dream come true" and the veteran's wishes are now a step closer to reality. 

A calf injury to the allrounder ruled him out of the recent series against Bangladesh, but that has healed enough to secure a spot on the plane.

The recently recalled Renshaw, who made eight in the only innings of his Test return in Mackay as Jake Weatherald's replacement, has been retained as Travis Head's opening partner.

The first Test begins on October 9 in Durban before the series moves to Gqeberha and finishes in Cape Town.

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

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

First ODI: September 24, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Second ODI: September 27, Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, 6pm AEST (10am local)

Third ODI: September 30, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 9:30pm AEST (D/N, 1:30pm local)

Australia ODI squad: Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Joel Davies, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Spencer Johnson, Oliver Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa

Warm-up match: October 3-4, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom, 6pm AEST (10am local)

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)

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