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South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test Preview- Proteas to bounce back and level series

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Sat. 17 Oct. 2026 03:40

Adam Cusworth 1 hour ago

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South Africa seeks to level the series after a heavy opening defeat, boosted by Kagiso Rabada’s likely return.
Australia’s batting faces scrutiny despite strong bowling, with selection dilemmas in the top order.
Pitch conditions at St George’s Park could favor pace, enhancing the contest between both teams’ quicks.

South Africa will be looking to bounce back when they take on the Aussies in the Second Test (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test Preview

South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test Preview
Head to Head
South Africa Form & Team News
Australia Form & Team News

South Africa will bounce back when the second Test against Australia gets underway at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Sunday, October 18.

The reigning World Test Champions suffered a 214-run defeat in the series opener at Durban but entered the series having won 13 of their previous 14 Tests, including the 2025 World Test Championship final against Australia and a 2–0 series victory in India. That outstanding record should not be forgotten following one disappointing performance, particularly with South Africa returning to a venue where it has won its past two Tests against the tourists.

The potential return of Kagiso Rabada is a significant boost for the home side, while Australia has questions surrounding its batting lineup despite taking a 1–0 series lead. The tourists possess a formidable bowling attack, but South Africa has the quality and experience to respond strongly.

St George's Park has traditionally provided assistance to spin, with slow bowlers averaging 22.77 in Tests at the venue since 2020, compared with 34.17 for the quicks. However, early-season first-class statistics paint a different picture, with fast bowlers averaging 26.94 between September and November over the past decade, suggesting the conditions could favour the pace attacks.

The Proteas appeal as the value selection to level the series, with both nations priced at $2.45 in the head-to-head market and the draw at $3.85.

South Africa won 13 of its 14 Tests before Durban and its past two against Australia at St George's Park.
Kagiso Rabada has taken 58 wickets at 21.39 against Australia, including nine in the 2025 World Test Championship final.
Aiden Markram scored a match-winning 136 against Australia at Lord's last year and 75 in Durban's second innings.
Josh Hazlewood claimed career-best figures of 6/49 in Durban, while early-season conditions at St George's Park are likely to assist the quicks.

Head to Head

Australia claimed a commanding 214-run victory in the opening Test at Kingsmead, dismissing South Africa for 284 and 206 after posting 390 and 6/314 declared.

Matthew Renshaw was the standout performer with the bat, compiling 272 runs across two innings, while Hazlewood's six-wicket haul in the second innings proved decisive.

South Africa had won the previous encounter between the nations, defeating Australia by five wickets in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's, with Markram scoring a match-winning 136 and Rabada claiming nine wickets.

The Proteas have an excellent recent record against Australia at St George's Park, winning by 231 runs in 2014 before claiming a six-wicket victory in 2018.

Australia has won three of its seven Tests at the venue, losing the other four, suggesting the home side should not be underestimated despite the disappointing opening result.

South Africa Form & Team News

South Africa faces a significant challenge after suffering its first defeat under Temba Bavuma's captaincy, ending an outstanding run of results that included 13 victories from its previous 14 Tests.

The Proteas were disappointing in Durban, particularly with the bat, and failed to capitalise after reducing Australia to 6/124 in the first innings. The absence of Rabada proved costly, with the home side unable to maintain sufficient pressure as Renshaw took control.

The return of Rabada would significantly strengthen the attack. The 31-year-old has claimed 58 wickets in 11 Tests against Australia, including match figures of 9/110 in last year's World Test Championship final. His career Test strike rate of 39.5 deliveries per wicket further highlights his ability to make regular breakthroughs.

South Africa has already made changes to its squad, dropping Tristan Stubbs and recalling Matthew Breetzke, who scored a century against Australia during the recent ODI series.

Ryan Rickelton will take over wicketkeeping duties from Kyle Verreynne, while Marques Ackerman is pushing for selection following outstanding domestic form, including a recent double century for South Africa A.

The decision to play two specialist spinners in Durban failed to produce the desired results, with Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer unable to exert sufficient control. Rabada's likely inclusion could see South Africa revert to a more pace-oriented attack, particularly given the early-season conditions expected at St George's Park.

South Africa possible XI: Aiden Markram, Matthew Breetzke, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee.

Australia Form & Team News

Australia enters the second Test full of confidence after extending its excellent recent form with victory in Durban, having now won eight of its past 10 Tests.

The tourists were in considerable trouble at 6/124 in their first innings before Renshaw produced one of the finest performances of his career, compiling 190 from 397 deliveries and following up with another 82 in the second innings.

However, Australia's top order remains a concern, with Travis Head and Nic Maddinson yet to establish themselves as a reliable opening combination. Renshaw's success at number five has created a selection dilemma, particularly with Cameron Green continuing his recovery from an abdominal injury.

Green remains doubtful for the second Test, while Josh Inglis has returned to training after recovering from a fractured finger. Beau Webster and Maddinson both made useful contributions in Durban, strengthening their claims to retain their places.

Australia's biggest strength remains its bowling attack. Hazlewood was outstanding in Durban, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon provide the tourists with a formidable combination capable of exploiting a variety of conditions.

With only four days separating Tests, managing the workloads of Australia's fast bowlers will also be a consideration.

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

Verdict

South Africa v Australia 2nd Test

South Africa appeals at $2.45 to level the series, with Kagiso Rabada tipped for the most South African first-innings wickets, Aiden Markram to score 30+ first-innings runs and Josh Hazlewood to claim 3+ first-innings wickets. The Proteas' strong recent Test record and success at St George's Park make them an attractive proposition to bounce back.