The stage is set for a cracking 3-match Test series as hosts South Africa and Australia face off in what promises to be an epic clash between the two teams. The first Test match of this 3-match series is set to take place at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday, 9th October, 2026. This is the first time the Aussies are playing Test Cricket on South African soil in 6 years, after 2018. A lot has happened since then, with the COVID-19 pandemic hitting us, but the sandpaper incident is still fresh in everyone’s minds.
South Africa will be led by Temba Bavuma while Australia will be led by Pat Cummins. Only Steve Smith from that sandpaper incident has come to this series and might lead the side in future Test matches to manage the workload of Cummins. It’s an important series for both teams with important WTC points up for grabs.
Overview.
The stage is set for a cracking series as Australia return to South African shores after a gap of six years since 2018 to contest a 3-match Test series starting from Friday, 9th October, 2026 at Kingsmead, Durban. It is an important series as it pits the 2023 champions against the reigning WTC champions. Both teams are in the top 2 in the standings, with Australia currently at the top, followed by South Africa. New Zealand are hot on their heels in third place. It’s Temba Bavuma vs Pat Cummins.
Both teams have a few injury concerns heading into the rematch of last season’s World Test Championship final. South Africa had named an 18-man preliminary squad for the first Test but have since lost Tony de Zorzi due to a hamstring injury. They have decided to retain the remaining 17 players to choose from. The Proteas are also sweating over the fitness of their premier pacer, Kagiso Rabada. Batting coach Ashwell Prince said the hosts will wait until as late as possible before making a call on him.
Rabada has not played professional cricket since the IPL earlier this year. The 31-year-old pacer had picked up a hamstring injury during winter training and has missed the ODI series.
The three-match ODI series was a hard-fought affair which went the way of the Proteas. The hosts won the series 2-1, but the contest left both teams dealing with injury concerns. For Australia, Cameron Green and Matthew Renshaw suffered blows, while Josh Inglis also picked up an injury. Green was hit in the groin area and has been ruled out of the first Test. Renshaw is also doubtful after copping a blow to his wrist in the third ODI. Inglis suffered a broken finger in the first ODI and is also ruled out of the first Test.
South Africa lost Tony de Zorzi as the left-hander sustained a hamstring issue in the third and final ODI against Australia at Potchefstroom. Australia have included Nic Maddinson, who last played a Test back in 2016. He underwent treatment for testicular cancer in 2025 and hasn’t played first-class cricket since March that year after undergoing chemotherapy. The 34-year-old might have to wait for his turn, with Matt Renshaw likely to partner Travis Head at the top.
Maddinson is being hailed as a versatile batter, and his ability to tackle spin could see him take a new role on this tour, potentially slotting into the middle order. Renshaw had suffered a wrist injury but returned in Australia’s two-day warm-up game against South Africa and scored 32 runs. He was recently included in the Test setup as a replacement for Jake Weatherald, who had replaced Sam Konstas but failed to cement his place, featuring in six Tests before being dropped after a shock defeat to Bangladesh.
There are positive signs for Australia as well. Marnus Labuschagne, who last scored a half-century 9 innings ago, struck a majestic century in the warm-up fixture and looked in good touch ahead of the first Test. Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and Beau Webster also got some runs under their belts. Pat Cummins will lead the side after missing the first two ODIs to prioritise the Test series.
He returned for the rain-affected third ODI and bowled five overs. Josh Hazlewood played the first two ODIs, while Mitchell Starc featured in the first and third games as the visitors geared up for a high-octane Test series.
Nathan Lyon, Cooper Connolly, Matthew Kuhnemann and, to an extent, Nic Maddinson are the spin bowling options available for Cummins to choose from.
For South Africa, it is about following that saying- why fix something that isn’t broken? Temba Bavuma will lead the defending WTC holders. They have all bases covered and should look to retain the core of the side that played their last Test. With Tony de Zorzi ruled out, Marques Ackermann could make his Test debut and bat in the middle order. There is a very good chance that the Proteas retain at least nine, if not 10, players from that fixture.
Apart from de Zorzi, one of Senuran Muthusamy or Simon Harmer could miss out. The rest of the XI picks itself. If Rabada fails to get the clearance, Anrich Nortje could get a look in for the first time in three years in the longest format.
Gerald Coetzee is in line for a comeback in the Test after a gap of almost two years. With a fragile middle order, the Proteas might be tempted to play more all-round options. In the 17 that they named for the first Test, seven can bowl fast. Out of those seven, if fit, Kagiso Rabada is a definite starter, and so is Marco Jansen.
Dane Paterson has done well when the first-choice pacers were unavailable, while Corbin Bosch and Wiaan Mulder provide depth in the batting. They are without Lungi Ngidi (hamstring), Nandre Burger (back injury) and Kwena Maphaka (hamstring).
Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton are the likely openers. Tristan Stubbs will be at three, while captain Bavuma will be at four. One of David Bedingham or Marques Ackerman will make a solid top five. Kyle Verreynne will be with the gloves, and then Marco Jansen as the genuine all-rounder. Corbin Bosch has done a lot of bowling in training on the eve of the Test and could make the cut in the final XI.
Keshav Maharaj as the frontline spinner, and then it depends on Rabada’s availability. If he’s unavailable, then Anrich Nortje can come in alongside one of Gerald Coetzee or Dane Paterson.
As we speak, Australia are on top of the WTC standings with South Africa in second place. The Proteas have plenty of Tests to play at home, while Australia will have to travel to India and host New Zealand at home. If they drop games, they could slip down the table and miss out on a third consecutive WTC final. The stage is set, and it remains to be seen whether Australia can avenge their 2025 defeat in the WTC final or whether South Africa continues to dominate the Aussies at home in the longest format. Only time will have the answer.
Head-To-Head
South Africa and Australia have played against each other in 102 matches in total. South Africa have won 27 games while Australia have won 54 games. 21 games ended in a Draw. It’s 6-4 in South Africa’s favour in the last 10 Tests, and the Proteas last played the Aussies in the WTC 2023-25 final, which the Proteas won by 5 wickets, chasing down 282 batting fourth at Lord’s.
Pitch & Weather Report
The Kingsmead surface is expected to dry out as the match progresses, likely turning into a wearing track that offers significant assistance to the spinners. South Africa is expected to field a dual-spin attack featuring Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer, aiming to exploit the turning conditions. Maharaj famously took 9 wickets against Australia at this venue in 2018. Australia, meanwhile, will assess how much the pitch dries out before finalising their balance between pace and spin options like Nathan Lyon and Matthew Kuhnemann.
Warm and dry weather is generally expected in Durban leading into the fixture, helping dry out the square. Rain is specifically forecast for Day 2, i.e. Saturday, which could temporarily halt play and further influence pitch behaviour.
Predicted/Announced Playing XIs of both sides
Here, we will show the announced/probable playing XIs of both sides.
South Africa Announced XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje.
Australia Probable XI: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Nic Maddinson, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins ©, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Key Players to look out for in this clash
Aiden Markram: Aiden Markram is the team’s vice-captain of the team and sets the tone at the top of the order for South Africa. He was the real star for the Proteas in the successful chase in the 2025 final as Markram carried his bat and got the century under his belt while others chipped in. The aim will be to continue that form and get better in the series as he holds the key for the Proteas.
Marco Jansen: Marco Jansen has been in red-hot form in the ODI series that concluded recently. He performed with the ball and the bat. His all-round skills will be handy considering the fact that the Proteas could be without Rabada and certainly without Ngidi as well. Jansen will be expected to deliver the goods with the new ball and add handy runs with the bat in hand as well.
Steve Smith: He is Australia’s greatest and the best batter of the current side as well. Steve Smith returns to South Africa after 2018, and the crowds will be hostile to him and make it difficult. But Smith has to find a way to shut the noise up, and if he lets his bat do the talking, it will be great for Australia. He is Australia’s best batter at 4, and must lead from the front now.
Mitchell Starc: Mitchell Starc is in red-hot form in red ball cricket. He recently destroyed Bangladesh in Mackay, picking up 11 wickets in the match and ensuring Australia drew level 1-1 against Bangladesh. Starc is in good rhythm in Test cricket compared to his compatriots Cummins and Hazlewood. So, the onus will be on the left-arm pacer to come roaring in and deliver the goods for Australia and rock South Africa’s top and middle order.
Key Stats and Records to look forward to ahead of this clash
- This is Kingsmead, Durban’s first Test match they are hosting in October.
- In the two Tests post-pandemic, pace dominated with 46 wickets at an average of 22.51, compared to spin’s 26 wickets at 27.11.
- Australia are on an unbeaten 3-match winning streak in Durban dating back to 2006, as in their last appearance in 2018, the Aussies won by 118 runs.
Predicted/Probable Outcome of the Match
Both teams are evenly matched, and it’s too close to call in this series and in this opening clash. Both teams have been hampered by injuries, and it will be intriguing to see the playing XIs of both sides. Two world-class bowling attacks vs two fragile middle-order batting, and whoever bats better may go on to win the match and the series. It is too close to call and can go either way. The toss could be important depending on the conditions on offer.
But if we are to pick a winner, we will tilt slightly in favour of the home team, South Africa, to edge out Australia. It’s 1- 2, and anything can happen. But the Proteas playing at home will have a slight edge in our opinion. Let us see how the Test match pans out in Durban starting tomorrow.
Also Read: SA VS AUS: 3 Reasons For South Africa’s Crushing Loss In 3rd ODI.