Australia and South Africa are set to face each other in the first Test match of the three-match series, beginning on Friday in Durban, renewing the long-awaited Test rivalry between both teams. The face-off is of great importance, as it will mark the first Test meeting between the teams since South Africa defeated Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Moreover, the last time Australia toured South Africa was way back in 2018, and at that time South Africa won the four-match series 3-1. 

Majorly, both teams are among the leading contenders in the current World Test Championship cycle, making every session of this series valuable. Talking about South Africa, the biggest concern for them is around Kagiso Rabada’s fitness. He has been included in the preliminary squad while recovering from a right hamstring injury, but the Proteas have been very cautious about his return. However, Rabada has bowled in an intra-squad match and remains in contention for the Durban Test. 

Despite that, South Africa are not short of other bowlers, with Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee, Marco Jansen and Dane Paterson featuring in the pace department. Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer bolster the spin attack. As for Australia, they too have been hit by injury issues. All-rounder Cameron Green has been ruled out of the first Test after suffering an abdominal strain during the ODI series. 

Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis will also miss the opening Test after fracturing his right index finger.

Sam Harper has been added to the squad, but Alex Carey is expected to take responsibility behind the stumps. Apart from this, Australia have a settled lineup, having the likes of the experienced pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc. They have a powerful batting attack as well, boasting the likes of Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Beau Webster. 

Head-to-head

Matches - 102

SA won - 27

AUS won - 54

Drawn - 21

South Africa likely 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 

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