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South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Preview – Proteas to claim series decider in Cape Town

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Sat. 24 Oct. 2026 22:11

Adam Cusworth 1 hour ago

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South Africa head into the final Test with momentum after a dominant innings victory, levelling the series 1–1.
Australia faces batting vulnerabilities and selection questions following collapses in Gqeberha and recent poor form.
With conditions suiting pace and South Africa’s strong Newlands record, the Proteas are favoured to win the series.

Marco Jansen comes off a strong match against the Aussies (Getty Images)

South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Preview

South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test Preview
Head to Head
South Africa Form & Team News
Australia Form & Team News

South Africa can complete a remarkable turnaround and claim the series when the third and final Test against Australia gets underway at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 27.

The reigning World Test Champions responded emphatically to their 214-run defeat in Durban, crushing Australia by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park to level the series at 1–1. It was a performance that exposed some familiar weaknesses in Australia's batting lineup, while the tourists also missed a golden opportunity to take control of the match after reducing South Africa to 5/97 in the first innings.

The Proteas recovered to reach 9/425 declared, with Temba Bavuma producing a magnificent 179 and Marco Jansen contributing a rapid 85. Australia subsequently collapsed to 99 in its first innings and was forced to follow on, with the South African pace attack dominating proceedings.

Australia faces significant selection questions heading into the decider, particularly with Cameron Green and Josh Inglis available again. The tourists have now lost three of their past six Tests, while South Africa has won three of the past four encounters between the nations at Newlands.

Conditions in Cape Town should provide plenty of assistance to the fast bowlers. Since 2020, pacemen have taken 84 wickets in Tests at the venue compared with just nine for the spinners, with the quicks averaging 24.06 runs per wicket.

South Africa's bowling attack looks well equipped to exploit those conditions, particularly with Kagiso Rabada back in the side and Jansen in outstanding form. Australia possesses an equally formidable pace attack, but its batting vulnerabilities and failure to finish off South Africa's first innings in Gqeberha are significant concerns.

The Proteas appeal as the selection to claim the series, with their recent record against Australia in Cape Town and the confidence gained from their dominant second Test victory providing further encouragement.

South Africa has won three of its past four Tests against Australia at Newlands, including victories in 2009, 2011 and 2018.
Fast bowlers have taken 84 wickets compared with nine for spinners in Tests at Newlands since 2020, with the quicks averaging 24.06.
Marco Jansen has claimed 10 wickets in the series, including 5/33 in Australia's first innings at Gqeberha, while Kagiso Rabada took six wickets on his return.
Australia has lost three of its past six Tests, with Marnus Labuschagne averaging just 22.09 across 47 innings since his most recent Test century.

Head to Head

The series is evenly poised after two contrasting results, with Australia winning the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha.

Australia dominated the opening encounter after Matthew Renshaw produced scores of 190 and 82, while Josh Hazlewood claimed career-best figures of 6/49 in South Africa's second innings.

However, the second Test exposed some significant weaknesses in the Australian lineup. South Africa recovered from 5/97 to post 9/425 declared before dismissing the tourists for just 99 in their first innings. Australia showed greater resistance following on but was unable to avoid a comprehensive defeat.

The nations have enjoyed several memorable encounters at Newlands, where Australia has won 10 of its 14 Tests overall. However, the more recent head-to-head record at the venue favours South Africa.

The Proteas claimed an innings-and-20-run victory in 2009 before winning by eight wickets in 2011, when Australia was famously dismissed for just 47 in its second innings. Australia responded with a 245-run victory in 2014, but South Africa dominated the most recent encounter in 2018, winning by 322 runs.

The home side also defeated Australia by five wickets in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's, with Aiden Markram scoring a match-winning 136 and Rabada claiming nine wickets.

South Africa Form & Team News

South Africa enters the series decider with renewed confidence after producing one of its most convincing performances under Temba Bavuma.

The captain was instrumental in the second Test victory, compiling a magnificent 179 from 334 deliveries after the Proteas had slumped to 5/97. His partnership with the lower order proved decisive, with Marco Jansen contributing 85 from just 100 balls and Simon Harmer adding a valuable 82.

The performance highlighted South Africa's resilience and exposed Australia's inability to capitalise on a dominant position. It also continued Bavuma's excellent record as captain, with the Durban defeat having been his first in the role.

South Africa's pace attack was outstanding in Gqeberha, dismissing Australia for 99 in the first innings despite losing Anrich Nortje to a groin injury early in the match.

Jansen was particularly impressive, claiming 5/33 in the first innings before finishing the match with the final wicket. The left-arm quick has taken 10 wickets across the opening two Tests, while Wiaan Mulder has claimed nine.

Rabada made an immediate impact on his return, collecting six wickets for the match, including 4/77 in Australia's second innings. His record against the tourists is outstanding, and the conditions at Newlands should provide further opportunities for the 31-year-old.

Nortje has been ruled out of the third Test, leaving South Africa with a decision to make regarding his replacement. Gerald Coetzee provides genuine pace, Dane Paterson offers control and experience, while Corbin Bosch could strengthen the lower-order batting.

Paterson is an interesting option given his recent Test performances, having claimed five-wicket hauls in each of his previous two appearances. Keshav Maharaj is also available, although the recent dominance of pace bowling at Newlands could favour retaining Harmer as the sole specialist spinner.

The Proteas are unlikely to make significant changes to their batting lineup following such a convincing victory, with Bavuma, Markram and Rickelton among the key players.

South Africa possible XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Dane Paterson.

Australia Form & Team News

Australia faces a major test of its batting depth after suffering a comprehensive defeat in Gqeberha, with several established players struggling for consistency.

The tourists were in an excellent position after reducing South Africa to 5/97 but failed to finish off the innings, conceding another 328 runs before the declaration. The inability to maintain pressure was particularly disappointing given the quality of Australia's bowling attack.

Scott Boland was the standout with figures of 5/81, but Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were unable to prevent South Africa's lower order from taking control. The absence of Nathan Lyon also became a talking point as Bavuma and the tail frustrated the Australian attack.

Australia's batting performance was even more concerning. The tourists were dismissed for just 99 in the first innings, while their second-innings resistance was largely built around Travis Head's 121.

Renshaw has been Australia's leading run-scorer in the series with 295, although 272 of those runs came in the opening Test. Head has contributed 155, while Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have managed just 127 and 83 respectively.

Labuschagne remains under significant pressure, having gone more than three years without a Test century. He has averaged just 22.09 across 47 innings since his last hundred, while Smith has also struggled to make a significant contribution in the series.

The return of Cameron Green provides Australia with an opportunity to strengthen its batting lineup. The all-rounder has recovered from an abdominal injury and is available for selection, although he is not expected to bowl.

Josh Inglis has also recovered from a fractured finger and could come into calculations, while Nic Maddinson appears vulnerable after failing to make an impact in the opening two Tests.

One option would be to move Renshaw back to the top of the order alongside Head, allowing Green to return in the middle order. However, the tourists still need greater contributions from their established batters if they are to avoid consecutive Test defeats for the first time since 2023.

Australia also faces a difficult decision regarding its bowling attack. Boland was outstanding in Gqeberha, but Lyon could return if the selectors believe the surface will deteriorate sufficiently to assist spin.

Recent statistics suggest the quicks should again dominate, with spinners averaging 54.50 at Newlands since 2020 compared with 24.06 for the fast bowlers. That may favour retaining Boland alongside Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, although the workload of the pace attack will also be a consideration.

Australia possible XI: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood.