The starting lineup for South Africa’s third and final Test match against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town, which is set for October 27–31, 2026, has been confirmed. After two Tests, both teams are tied at one, with Temba Bavuma leading the team in a series decider.
The Proteas must alter one member of their starting lineup. Gerald Coetzee, a fellow quick bowler, replaces Anrich Nortje, who has been sidelined due to injury. Coetzee will return to the longest format after a nearly two-year hiatus with his first Test appearance since November 2024.
Nic Maddinson, the opening batsman for Australia, has not been included in the squad. Concerns have also been raised about former captain Steven Smith, whose neck injury may make him unavailable for the third Test. Before South Africa tied the match, Australia had won the first Test at Kingsmead in Durban by a margin of 214 runs.
Playing XI for Third Dafabet Test vs Australia 🚨
#TheProteas skipper, Temba Bavuma, confirms the playing XI for tomorrow’s third and final Dafabet Test, with the series on the line at YesPlay Newlands. 🇿🇦
🔁 One change for #TheProteas sees Gerald Coetzee coming in for Anrich Nortje.
#Unbreakable #SAvAUS
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 26, 2026
In the second Test at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth, South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs to tie the series. A winner-take-all final at Newlands in Cape Town was made possible by that decisive victory.
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As the defending World Test Championship champions, South Africa will be more confident going into the match. An important milestone in the Proteas’ Test cricket career was reached when they defeated Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s in London to win the coveted title. When the two teams play again in Cape Town, they will now try to build on that victory and show off their strength in the longest format. New Zealand,
South Africa’s XI for the third Test vs Australia:
Aiden Markram, Marques Ackermann, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada
Australia full squad for the third Test against South Africa
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
