South Africa and Australia face off today in the decisive third Test at Newlands in Cape Town.
With the series level at one-all, both teams have everything to play for.
Australia won the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban by 214 runs, but the Proteas fought back strongly and won the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.
Bavuma leads Proteas in third Test at Newlands
Under the captaincy of Temba Bavuma, the Proteas will look to maintain that momentum and seal the series on home soil.
Bavuma was the star in Gqeberha with an innings of 179 runs. Together with Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82), he guided the Proteas from 110 for six to 425 for nine (innings closed). Australia was then bowled out for 99 and had to follow on. In their second innings, the visitors were bowled out for 295, with Kagiso Rabada taking four for 77.
The South African team will however have to manage without injured fast bowler Anrich Nortje. Gerald Coetzee takes his place and plays his first Test in nearly two years. The rest of the squad remains the same as the one that won in Gqeberha.
Smith misses Australia's decisive Test
Australia has meanwhile also made changes, with Steve Smith unavailable for the decisive Test due to a neck injury. Smith picked up the injury during the second Test. Josh Inglis is expected to take his place in the squad.
The series is part of the ICC's World Test Championship 2025–27, and South Africa are defending their title as world Test champions. It is also Australia's first Test tour to South Africa since 2018.
The match takes place from 27 to 31 October at Newlands. Play begins daily at 10:30.
All the best to the Proteas with the decisive Test! South Africa stands firmly behind you.
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
