'He's a freak': Smith adds to record-breaking highlights reel

Steve Smith's lengthy fielding highlights reel was further enhanced by several moments of brilliance on the third day of the Durban Test.

One of the game's great fielders took two pearlers standing at first slip off Nathan Lyon and got acrobatic for a classic catch at second slip off Pat Cummins.

It was his second off Lyon, a one-handed wonder off a Kyle Verreynne reverse sweep, that was the best of the collection.

Sublime anticipation and lightning reflexes – Smith almost pouched the catch behind his body – left the SA wicketkeeper dumbfounded and the Australians, primarily Smith, cock-a-hoop.  

It left champion off-spinner Lyon in awe of his prowess behind the stumps, labelling him a "freak".

The NSW pairing have now combined for 65 dismissals in men's Tests; they sit second on the all-time list with only Muttiah Muralidaran and Mahela Jayawardene (77) ahead of them for bowler-fielder combos.

"I've been very fortunate enough to have him standing that first slip or leg slip for pretty well the majority of my career," Lyon told reporters post-play.

"I'm extremely grateful for that. He's an incredible thinker of the game, but the way he premeditates for those type of catches, they're freakish.

"There's not many people within that change room that will be able to pull off what he does."

Smith's first catch of the day removed Temba Bavuma when he anticipated the right-hander's reverse sweep and moved slightly to his right which allowed him to take the ball in front of his chest.

The SA skipper was unable to get into his innings after some tight bowling and played and missed at a couple of balls from Lyon. With only three singles from 26 balls, Bavuma's attempt to break the shackles with the reverse sweep brought his downfall. It ballooned off his bat and Smith was ready for the chance.

Three overs later, the former Australian captain was in the action again. David Bedingham tried a back-foot punch from a steeply climbing Cummins delivery and squirted the ball towards Matt Renshaw at first slip. Smith had other ideas though.

He leapt to his left, in front of his teammate, and clutched the ball with both hands.

Most catches in men's Tests (non-wicketkeepers)

223 - Steve Smith (AUS)

220 - Joe Root (ENG)

210 - Rahul Dravid (IND, ICC)

205 - Mahela Jayawardene (SL)

200 - Jacques Kallis (SA, ICC)

The catching was appreciated by the opposition as well, with South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince full of praise of Smith's skill.

"He's obviously a good catcher, but today was also the anticipation of it," Prince said.

"You can see the players line up for the reverse sweep, and then therefore he is able to anticipate and then to grab it with one hand is unbelievable. It was special."

Age hasn't hindered Smith's catching ability nor are these efforts a fluke; the 37-year-old also took several amazing catches during last summer's Ashes series, and Lyon highlighted that Smith works hard on his catching ability at training sessions.

Smith's second grab of the day saw him reclaim top spot on the all-time Test catches list from Joe Root, a race that will likely continue to change hands until either of the champions retire.  

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 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