Australia in South Africa: Test series level at 1-1
A big win in Durban, an innings loss in Gqeberha and a sore neck for Steve Smith: the series goes to a Newlands decider from 27 October.
As of 23 October 2026, Australia's three-Test series in South Africa is level at 1-1, with the deciding Test at Newlands in Cape Town starting on Tuesday 27 October. Australia won big in Durban, then lost by an innings in Gqeberha after being bowled out for 99. Steve Smith finished the second Test nursing a sore neck, and there has been no official word yet on whether that affects his place in Cape Town.
Series schedule and results
| Match | Dates | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tour match v SA Invitation XI | 3 to 4 October | Senwes Park, Potchefstroom | Drawn |
| 1st Test | 9 to 13 October | Kingsmead, Durban | Australia won by 214 runs |
| 2nd Test | 18 to 22 October | St George's Park, Gqeberha | South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs |
| 3rd Test | 27 to 31 October | Newlands, Cape Town | Starts 7.30pm AEDT each day |
The tour began with three one-day internationals in late September, which South Africa won 2-1. Mitchell Marsh led the ODI side. Pat Cummins captains the Test team, with Smith as vice-captain and Andrew McDonald as coach. Temba Bavuma leads South Africa. The series counts towards the 2025-27 World Test Championship, and each side has taken 12 points so far.
First Test, Durban: Renshaw sets it up
Australia made 390 in the first innings, and Matt Renshaw was the reason. He made 190, then added 82 in the second innings as Australia declared at 6-314. South Africa had made 284 in reply to the first innings total, so they were set 421 to win, which would have been a record chase.
They never got close. Josh Hazlewood took 6-49 and South Africa were all out for 206 midway through the second session on day five. Renshaw was player of the match, also chipping in with two wickets. It was South Africa's first Test loss with Bavuma as captain.
Second Test, Gqeberha: a collapse and a comeback
South Africa were in trouble at 6-110 on the first innings, but Bavuma batted for 334 balls to make 179. With help from Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer down the order, the home side reached 9-425 before declaring.
Australia then fell apart. Jansen took five wickets and the tourists were all out for 99. Thirteen wickets fell on day four, and Australia ended it following on at 4-156, still 170 runs behind. Travis Head held up the second innings with 121, his 13th Test century and the first by an Australian in a follow-on innings since the 1980s. Scott Boland lasted 166 balls as nightwatchman for 40, and the first session of day five was lost to rain. Wiaan Mulder and Kagiso Rabada still finished the job, and Australia were bowled out for 295 to lose by an innings and 31 runs. Bavuma was player of the match.
South Africa finished the game a bowler short after Anrich Nortje was injured.
Steve Smith's neck
Smith made 28 in the first innings in Gqeberha before Mulder bowled him. He jarred his neck after edging a Rabada delivery and needed treatment on the field more than once. When Australia followed on during day four, he did not bat in his usual spot and sat in the rooms with a support around his neck. The neck has troubled him before.
McDonald said Smith would be fit to bat on day five, and he did, coming in at number seven. He made 3 before Rabada had him caught off a bouncer. As of 23 October, Cricket Australia has not ruled him out of the Cape Town Test, and it has not said whether he is fully fit either. Expect an update closer to the toss on Tuesday.
The Australian Test squad
Pat Cummins (captain), Steve Smith (vice-captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.
Other injuries and changes
- Josh Inglis missed the early part of the Test tour with a fractured finger. Sam Harper came in as cover and Inglis later rejoined the group.
- Cameron Green's availability was in doubt because of a lower abdominal strain, and Nic Maddinson was called up as cover.
What comes next
The Newlands Test from 27 October decides the series. A draw would leave it shared at 1-1. Australia need to rethink their batting after the 99 in Gqeberha, and the selectors will want clarity on Smith and Green before naming the eleven.
After Cape Town, the Test players come home for a short gap before the first of four Tests against New Zealand starts in Perth on 9 December. Some may play a round or two of the Sheffield Shield in between. The home summer also includes the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and a 150th anniversary Test against England there in March.
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