South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Tips – Proteas eye another victory

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: Thu 08 Oct 2026 05:56

Adam Cusworth 1 hour ago

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South Africa, reigning World Test Champions, have won 13 of their last 14 Tests.
Australia faces key injuries and unresolved batting positions ahead of the Durban opener.
Aiden Markram’s strong record against Australia boosts South Africa's prospects.

South Africa Australia Test Match Cricket

South Africa defeated Australia in the World Test Championship Final (Getty Images)

Australia returns to South Africa for the first time since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, with the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban shaping as a fascinating contest between the world's two leading Test nations.

The Proteas claimed a memorable five-wicket victory when the sides last met in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's, successfully chasing 282 for victory thanks to a magnificent 136 from Aiden Markram and a crucial 66 from captain Temba Bavuma.

Australia will be desperate for revenge, but South Africa enters the series in outstanding form, having won 13 of its past 14 Tests, including an impressive 2–0 series victory in India. The reigning World Test Champions have developed a winning habit and will be full of confidence returning to home conditions.

There are concerns surrounding Australia's batting, particularly with Cameron Green ruled out through injury and several positions in the top order still under scrutiny. The tourists possess an outstanding pace attack and have won their past three Tests at Kingsmead, but South Africa has already demonstrated its ability to withstand that bowling unit under immense pressure.

The Durban surface traditionally assists fast bowlers, although spin could also prove influential. Pace bowlers have claimed 46 wickets at an average of 22.51 across the past two Tests at the venue, compared with 26 wickets at 27.11 for spinners. Those conditions should suit South Africa's bowling attack, particularly Marco Jansen, while the potential inclusion of both Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer gives the hosts another avenue to exploit.

South Africa is the selection to win the opening Test. The Proteas have the advantage of familiar conditions, outstanding recent form and the confidence gained from defeating Australia on the biggest stage just 16 months ago. Markram's excellent record against the Australians adds further confidence, while Bavuma has developed into a reliable presence in the middle order. Australia remains a formidable opponent and we can expect Pat Cummins to lead from the front. Expect the skipper to secure at least three wickets in the first innings. But with questions surrounding its batting and South Africa capable of applying sustained pressure with both pace and spin, the home side looks well placed to make a winning start to the series.

South Africa has won 13 of its past 14 Tests
Australia's batting remains a concern
Aiden Markram averages 61.6 in Tests against Australia and scored 143 against Australia at Kingsmead in 2018.
Pat Cummins took 6/28 against South Africa in the first innings of the 2025 World Test Championship final.

Head to Head

South Africa won the most recent Test between the nations by five wickets at Lord's in June 2025, recovering from a first-innings deficit of 74 runs to claim the World Test Championship.

Kagiso Rabada starred with nine wickets for the match, while Markram's second-innings 136 and Temba Bavuma's 66 proved decisive in the successful run chase.

Pat Cummins was outstanding in defeat, claiming 6/28 in South Africa's first innings, while Beau Webster top-scored for Australia with 72.

Australia has an excellent recent record at Kingsmead, winning its past three Tests at the venue in 2006, 2009 and 2018, including a 118-run victory in the most recent encounter.

Australia Form & Team News

Australia has won eight of its past 10 Tests but suffered a disappointing defeat against Bangladesh in Darwin before recovering to square the series.

Green's abdominal injury rules him out of the opening Test, while Josh Inglis is unavailable with a fractured finger.

Nic Maddinson is a surprise contender for a middle-order position, potentially returning to Test cricket after almost a decade, while Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly are also in contention.

Travis Head is expected to open alongside Matthew Renshaw, with Marnus Labuschagne strengthening his position at number three following a century against South Africa A.

Steve Smith will be central to Australia's hopes, while Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon provide a formidable bowling attack.

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

South Africa Form & Team News

South Africa enters the series as the reigning World Test Champion, having won 13 of its past 14 matches.

Markram looms as a major threat, averaging 61.6 against Australia, while Bavuma provides stability through the middle order.

The biggest concern surrounds Rabada, who remains in doubt with a hamstring injury. His absence would be significant after claiming nine wickets against Australia in last year's World Test Championship final.

Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee and Dane Paterson provide pace options, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer could both feature if conditions favour spin.

South Africa possible XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Dane Paterson, Gerald Coetzee.

Verdict

South Africa v Australia 1st Test

South Africa to secure the first test with Markram continuing strong form against the Aussies. Cummins to lead the way for the visitors with the ball

South Africa

Win

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