Smith to face concussion assessment after helmet blow

Steve Smith is being assessed for concussion after failing to take to the field in the fourth innings of Australia's bid for victory over South Africa in Durban.

Smith was hit by an Anrich Nortje bouncer early in his second innings after ducking into a short-pitched ball ball that did not rise as much as the batter anticipated.

Smith could not avoid the red missile and it ricocheted off his helmet and bounced away down to fine leg. He and Marnus Labuschagne ran through for a leg bye. The glancing blow left an obvious mark on his lid, which he immediately had changed.

Smith was checked for concussion and was cleared to continue his innings. He was only four balls into his innings at the time.

However, Smith did not return when Australia began to field, with the vice-captain expected to undergo further assessment over the next 24 hours.

If Smith - who has had issues with concussion and vertigo in the past - is diagnosed with a concussion by medical personnel, he would be ruled out of fielding on the fifth day of the Test.

Under CA's concussion and head trauma policy, he would face a minimum 24-hour stand down after a concussion diagnois, and may not return to cricket-related activity until clearance from a medical officer. 

The second Test in Gqeberha is due to start on Sunday, October 18, while it is a fortnight until the third Test in Cape Town.

Josh Inglis, who returned to South Africa on Saturday after a broken finger, had a bat in the nets on Monday as he strives to prove his fitness for the second Test.

Cameron Green, who was ruled out of the Durban Test with an abdominal strain, wore the orange vest and carried the drinks for the Aussies on day four.

Smith has previously battled concussions, most famously when he was struck in the head by Jofra Archer during the 2019 Ashes.

On that occasion he also passed an on-field test at Lord's, before being ruled out mid-match and being replaced by Marnus Labuschagne.

The later head knock comes amid an eventful match for Smith.

He reclaimed the Test record for most career catches on Sunday with four takes in the field, including three brilliant moments in the slips.

The 37-year-old twice anticipated reverse sweeps from Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreyne and moved early to put himself in a position to catch them off the middle of the bat.

Another take came when he leapt across in front of Matt Renshaw to remove David Bedingham, completing the catch with both feet in the air.

After being hit on the head on Monday, Smith recovered to three times beat a fielder at deep point off Nortje a few overs later.

He was eventually caught by the 203cm Marco Jansen on the long-on rope off Simon Harmer, having marginally cleared the quick on the boundary a few balls earlier. 

It came as Australia went in search of quick runs on day four, allowing them to declare at tea on 6-314 and set South Africa 421 to win.

- additional reporting by Scott Bailey (AAP)

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