A vintage display from Steve Smith in the slips cordon and a fine performance from Australia’s esteemed bowling attack continued the tourists’ ascendancy on day three of the first Test against South Africa in Durban.
The hosts were dismissed for 284, handing Australia a 106-run first innings lead, which quickly swelled to 139 thanks to a fast start from Nic Maddinson and Travis Head.
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Australia’s batters will need to keep scoring quick runs on Monday to set the Proteas a daunting fourth innings chase, and give themselves enough to bowl them out, as bad light continues to be an issue that rears its head late in the day at Kingsmead.
How the next two days unfold will provide fascinating insight into the make-up of the Australian XI for the remainder of the series, but another old-fashioned day of Test cricket provided several clues to solving a few conundrums.
Scroll down for the biggest talking points from day three in Durban!
WRAP: Under-fire Aussie’s bright start as lead grows after Smith’s freakish ‘out of this world’ acts
TOPSHOT – South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs (R) walks back to the pavilion as Australia’s Pat Cummins (L) celebrates his dismissal on day three of the first Test match between South Africa and Australia at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban on October 11, 2026. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP)Source: AFP
RECURRING ISSUE CREATES INTRIGUING AUSSIE DILEMMA
Australia is in the ascendancy courtesy of some stunning slips fielding from Steve Smith on the pivotal third day of the opening Test against South Africa, but has decisions to make.
A first-innings lead of 106 had blossomed to 139 when bad light forced a premature end to play for the third straight day, which will factor into Australia’s calculations over the next two days as they assess how long they need to bowl the Proteas out for a second time.
The prospect remains, of course, that South Africa will take any decision making out of the hands of Australian captain Pat Cummins and co with the ball when play resumes Monday.
But more likely is that the Aussies will ponder how many runs is a safe target on a pitch that was docile on Day 3 and yet to demonstrate it will turn into a batsman’s nightmare.
Australia’s outstanding attack were able to bowl the hosts out for 278 in 78 overs, though they were assisted by some mind-boggling poor shots from batsmen who were settled.
Nic Maddinson dodged the pair with a powerful hook off the first ball he faced from Marco Jansen and while he and Travis Head were not necessarily convincing, Australia will have its full compliment of batters to set a decent target.
Australia’s Nic Maddinson plays a high ball on day three of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)Source: AP
Former Proteas fast bowler Vernon Philander has played lots of cricket at Kingsmead and said a target of 300 should make the Australians safe.
Simon Katich, who made a century for Australia at the ground in Durban in 2009, agrees and noted both teams had lost eight wickets for less than 200 before their tails wagged.
“That figure seems about the mark given the way the Test has played out for both teams,” he said.
“I think 300 should be pretty safe and you would expect the pitch to deteriorate and provide more spin.”
There are factors in the visitors favour outside of the lead they had established at stumps.
Australia will look to set a target during the first two sessions, which have been extended by 15 minutes per stanza, and the sun is expected to be shining through that period.
That would leave four sessions for the Proteas to survive, with the clear asterisk being the certainty the fading light will shorten the day.
Philander said the conditions are at their trickiest when it is overcast, with Australia likely to have two cracks at bowling at the Proteas when the conditions are the most difficult, though admittedly in shorter sessions.
“When the sun is out, it behaves a little easier, but when it is overcast, it certainly nips about,” he said.
“There is so much to consider leading into Day 4 and Day 5 … you have to factor in bad light coming into play on Day 4 and Day 5. And the second factor is what target will be enough.”
BLINDER! Smith reclaims catching record | 01:51
HISTORY-MAKING SMITH ‘LIKE SUPERMAN’ IN FREAKISH DOUBLE
With a masterclass of slips fielding, Australia’s “superman” Steve Smith set a new world record while stamping as dangerous South Africa’s use of the reverse sweep.
Smith, whose magnificence in the cordon swung the momentum completely Australia’s way, drew level with Joe Root’s record for Test catches and then established a buffer in an astonishing performance by snaring Temba Bavuma, David Bedingham and Kyle Verreyne.
With the opening session of Day 3 in the balance, Australia’s star slips fielder donned “the cape” and started flying around the cordon, upping the level of difficulty with each catch.
The South Africans had put on 57 runs in a composed start to the pivotal day before Mitchell Starc snared Aiden Markram courtesy of a thick edge to Matthew Renshaw.
But it was the sizzling work of Smith that disrupted South Africa’s bid to put the pressure on Australia, with the veteran’s superb smarts and sharper reflexes coming to the fore.
His anticipation to start moving as soon as Bavuma, who made a century during the recent ODI series and was critical in South Africa’s triumph in the World Test Championship last year, shaped to reverse sweep Nathan Lyon drew plaudits far and wide.
Not long after he soared across the front of Renshaw to take a spectacular catch to remove the settled Bedingham, who got a thick edge off the bowling of Cummins to fall for 49.
Those efforts prompted former Australian opener Simon Katich to marvel at the deeds of his former teammate.
“Having Steve Smith behind the stumps to put the cape on and become like Superman on two occasions helps,” he said on SEN radio.
‘OH MY GOD, SMUDGE’: Smith’s ridiculous catch sparks disbelief as Aussie breaks Test record
Steve Smith of Australia celebrates the catch once again this time for Kyle Verreynne (WK) of The Proteas during day 3 of the 1st Dafabet Test match between South Africa and Australia at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium on October 11, 2026 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Gerhard Duraan/Gallo Images/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Mark Waugh sits among the finest slips fielders Australia has produced and the Kayo Sports’ expert analyst said Smith’s ability to read the play set him apart from others.
“That’s what great fielders do. They can anticipate and they make something out of nothing,” he said.
“I think some players have got it and some haven’t, and Steve Smith’s a great catcher. (It was) bread and butter for him, but he makes hard catches look easy, Steve Smith.
“Sometimes he drops the odd easy one, but he catches a lot of really tough ones very easily, so he’s a tremendous fielder and he’s the best.”
But he saved his best for last to remove Verreyne, who had timed his bid at reverse-sweeping off the bowling of Lyon so sweetly he could not believe he had fallen.
Nor could former South African fast bowler Vernon Philander, who was awe-struck by his skill.
“Steve Smith. You can’t do that. That is not human. That is an unbelievable grab,” Philander said.
“You shouldn’t be able to do that. Do not enter that region because there is a guy called Steve Smith. Wow, ladies and gentlemen, that is absolutely exceptional.”
Catch controversy! Should it have stood? | 02:19
CHAMPION AUSSIE QUARTET REACH CRAZY MILESTONE
The band got back together against Bangladesh but in their third Test back after a sabbatical, Australia’s champion quartet of bowlers were locked in and firing in sync.
The top of the score sheet evidenced this, with Mitchell Starc, Lyon, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood all snaring a wicket before any of them had snared a second.
In doing so, the quartet, who first banded together at the Gabba for the opening Test of the 2017/18 Ashes series, surpassed 600 wickets as a combination, with the spread of wickets remarkably even.
And they increased their lead on the next most successful quartet to almost 200 when rattling through the Proteas in the second session.
They were helped by the magnificent hands of Smith and Lyon, in particular, will be delighted by the champion’s sharp reflexes after a leaner series against Bangladesh.
The record is a testament to their individual brilliance and collective greatness and the return to form of Lyon is important as well, according to former Australian batter Simon Katich.
There is a tropical element to playing cricket in Durban at this time of the year, with the temperature 31C on Sunday, which is nine degrees above the October average.
With the New South Wales spinner rolling through the overs, the Australians were able to rotate the three quicks in shorter spells to enhance their menace.
“That is the beauty of Nathan Lyon,” Katich said.
“You can lock him in at an end when he is up and firing and the quicks can rotate in short, sharp bursts from the other end.”
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, left, celebrates with his teammate Nathan Lyon after taking a wicket of South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs on day three of the first cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Durban, South Africa, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)Source: AP
Among the many talents of Cummins is his happy knack of snaring a wicket against the tide and the Australian captain was able to strike at critical times on Sunday.
It was Cummins who denied David Bedingham a half-century when inducing a thick edge that flew to Renshaw in the slips when the Proteas No.3 was on 49.
Then, with Tristan Stubbs and Wiaan Mulder establishing a solid middle-order partnership, it was Australia’s captain fantastic who adjusted his tactics and drew both into false strokes.
Mindful the pitch was almost two-paced, with an area in the middle offering uncertain bounce, Cummins started peppering the middle-order pair with short balls.
It proved the trick, with Mulder’s mistake looking particularly lamentable as he shaped to hook before trying to pull out at the last moment in what was an awkward dismissal.
Former South African quick Vernon Philander was full of praise for the Aussie captain, saying that his deeds with the ball were critical to the tourists seizing the initiative.
“It is a fantastic, surprise bouncer from Cummins,” he said of the dismissal of Mulder.
“He has the ability to bowl those quick sharp bouncers and that is a massive wicket in the context of this game. South Africa was starting to build.”
The South Africans will rue their inability to string partnerships together once settled, particularly given a couple of horror shots contributed to dismissals.
Just as Australia looked rusty against Bangladesh in Darwin in August when playing a Test for the first time in eight months, the South African batters struggled to find the right tempo.
Rust has to be a factor in that, with the Proteas playing their first Test since the fabulous series win in India last November.
Renshaw reflects on stunning 190 | 10:11
PROTEAS FAIL RENSHAW EXAM
South Africa’s batter clearly did not play close enough attention during Matt Renshaw’s marathon 190.
Openers Ryan Rickelton (0) and Aiden Markram (37) as well as No.3 David Bedingham (49) all edged Australia’s champion fast bowling trio into the slip cordon, playing at deliveries that would not have hit the stumps.
While Wiaan Mulder (30) was caught in two minds against a Pat Cummins short ball and only succeeded in lobbing the simplest of catches to substitute fielder Cooper Connoly at square leg.
In Cummins’ next over, Tristan Stubbs (32) was undone by a bouncer too, topping edging a pull shot to fine leg.
“Have they made the Australians work for their wickets as much as Matt Renshaw did yesterday? I’d say no,” former Australian batter Simon Katich said on commentary.
On days one and two Renshaw owned the channel outside off stump, leaving balls that he did not need to play at expertly.
When Australia’s bowlers took ownership of that same line on Sunday, it highlighted a glaring contrast in new age batting versus old school principles against fast bowling.
Renshaw’s epic was a testament to Test cricket of a previous era, even if his effective use of the reverse sweep against the spinner was out of a modern play book.
As well as leaving the ball diligently, the left-hander accumulated runs when the South African got too straight with their lines and shelved the pull shot under a short ball siege until he was well and truly in three figures.
It was an innings that the tourists had been crying out for after a plethora of batting collapses and it also highlighted an unusual trend in recent Australian Test squads.
Australia’s batting order has been like a cat on a hot tin roof of late, with players jumping around constantly within the top seven.
Australia’s hierarchy has been unable to solve their issues at the top of the order, however, with 11 different opening pairings – including Scott Boland acting as a nightwatchman in last year’s Boxing Day Test – being used since David Warner retired in early 2024.
Renshaw was initially recalled to blunt the new ball, having opened against Bangladesh in Mackay in August, but his success at No.5 showcased a significant shift in Australian cricket.
It used to be common place that players batted in the top four for their states and slotted into the middle order for the national team.
Australia’s Matt Renshaw acknowledges the crowd after his dismissal by South Africa’s Simon Harmer on day two of the first Test match between South Africa and Australia at the Kingsmead stadium in Durban on October 10, 2026. (Photo by Marco Longari / AFP)Source: AFP
Michael Hussey opened the batting for Western Australia for a decade before donning the baggy green and forging a glittering career primarily in the middle order.
Travis Head had a stint opening earlier in his career for South Australia and also spent considerable time at No.3 before taking up his place for Australia’s further down the list.
There have been many more examples of players exemplifying the adage that if you could bat in the top order at the level below, you could slot in anywhere at international level.
But in recent times Australia have moved the likes of Cameron Green, Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis higher in the order than they usually bat at Shield level.
Australia has had a clear lack of top order talent and if Renshaw’s heroics remind the selectors that it is easier to slide down than to go up, it may be music to the ears of those battling the new Kookaburra for their states.
“Yeah, I think it’s one of those that, having opened the batting for so much time, you get used to leaving the ball,” Renshaw told Kayo Sports before play on day three in Durban.
“I think it was one of those where, especially the situation that we had, it was about trying to survive as long as I could.
“But yeah, different challenges in there.
“Batting in the middle order, working out what’s up to bat on was probably the tougher challenges and a lot of leaving.
“I got called boring by Josh Inglis this morning, so yeah it’s just one of those ones that sometimes they felt like that was the one that was going to get me out, so I didn’t feel like that was the option.”
Renshaw’s success after tasting Test cricket as a 20-year-old following the Hobart crisis against South Africa in 2016, in the wake of Sandpapergate in 2018 and on the spinning surfaces of India in 2023 also offers hopes to those who have been tried recently have been discarded.
The likes of McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Inglis should take the belief that you can grow as a player and find the perfect formula for success at the highest level.
“Yeah, definitely. I think I had an opportunity in 2023 and sort of didn’t take that with some tough tours,” Renshaw said.
“But yeah, I think after that I just sort of had a look and went ‘yeah, I want to try and play my cricket this way and not stress about if I’m going to play for Australia again.’
“Probably wasn’t thinking about playing for Australia again, never mind making a Test hundred.
“So yeah, really special to sort of prove that what I’m doing is working, the way that I’m thinking about my life and my career is going really well.“
Matt Renshaw gives Australia hope v SA | 06:44
WHERE TO NEXT FOR RENSHAW?
Matt Renshaw’s success at No.5 has seemingly given Australia more questions than answers.
With Cameron Green set to return later in the series after scoring a century against Bangladesh from No.5 and Nic Maddinson’s painstaking 33-ball duck on return from a decade-long absence from Test cricket, Renshaw may be redeployed as an opener.
He was recalled to open the batting in the place of the axed Jake Weatherald in Mackay, but that lasted only one Test.
Australian great Mark Waugh, who picked both Maddinson and Renshaw for their debuts against South Africa at the Adelaide Oval in 2016, believes there will not be a fourth straight Test with a different opening combination.
“I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer either, just quietly,” he said on Kayo Sports.
“Brilliant innings, by the way. Just a fantastic innings on a number of fronts.
“But I think in the second Test, he’ll bat five.
“They’ll give Maddinson another Test, so that won’t change.”
“Maddinson will open in the second Test match,” he added. “No doubt about that and Renshaw at five. We know that.
Former Australian leg spinner Kerry O’Keefe replied: “It wasn’t a one-off thing with Maddinson. They’re going to persevere.
“They think he can do a job from the top of the order.”
Every Ball: Maddinson’s horrific return | 03:47
Waugh also believes that Renshaw’s success was not down to his place in the batting order, but the way he went about his innings.
Australian captain Pat Cummins once said batting orders were “overrated” and this team have shown a willingness to shuffle around the order.
That attitude could lead to Renshaw returning to the top – where he batted upon being recalled against Bangladesh in Mackay.
“I think he can equally bat well in both spots, to be honest,” Waugh said.
“If he bats like that opening, he’ll make runs there as well.
“It probably just depends on what balance the selectors want and who’s in and out of form.
“If Marnus, for example, fails two or three times, that can change the whole dynamics.”
Former Australian captain Alyssa Healy believes all-rounder Beau Webster may be “in strife” when Green is fit again.
Or perhaps even before that because she said “they might look at two spinners in PE and Cooper Connolly comes into the frame”.
While Healy believes there could be a scenario where Marnus Labuschagne is put up to open the batting and Steve Smith returns to No.3.
“All we can confidently say right now is whoever they pick at five makes runs. So whoever they need to find form should bat five,” she said on Kayo Sports.
“So now that Renshaw has made 190, just put him back up the order. Let’s put Travis back down to five, get him into form. So that’s the spot.
“And then they can go off into another position.
“But I think Renshaw will end up back at the top of the order. In my mind, Travis Head needs to be back down at five.
“If Cam Green comes back, he bats four.”
Every Boundary: Renshaw’s marathon ton | 10:17
AUSSIES MAY BE OLD… BUT YOUNGER REINFORCEMENTS ARE ON THE WAY
Australia may be fielding its oldest team in almost a century, which follows an Ashes series where three members of its champion bowling quartet scarcely played due to injury.
But the sight of Nathan Lyon, who suffered a severe hamstring injury at Adelaide Oval last December, sprinting along the boundary line and diving to save a boundary in the first session was an indication of the confidence he has in his body.
The Aussies may be old. But in the infancy of a massive year of Test cricket, it is pleasing to see the stalwarts of Australian cricket currently in the rudest of health, even if there are question marks elsewhere.
While the Australians are firmly on top, chatter about selection and batting orders is certain to continue in the lead-in to the Gqeberha Test in a week’s time for a number of reasons.
Chief among the talking points will be the fitness of both Cameron Green and Josh Inglis, who has returned to South Africa and joined his teammates before play on Day 3.
There is an air of mystery surrounding the extent of time Green, who injured his abdomen when struck in the stomach in a one-day encounter, will be sidelined for.
The Western Australian has done some work and with the Test a week away, the Aussies will be hoping that his progression to full health speeds up in coming days.
The return of Inglis, who returned home after breaking a finger after the Zimbabwe white ball series, adds complexity to the conundrum as to who bats where and when for selectors.
Renshaw’s remarkable century at No.5 is a factor to consider, but if Nic Maddinson was flown to South Africa as a reserve and either Inglis or Green is fit, he will make way.
The Fox Cricket panel of experts featuring Alyssa Healy, Mark Waugh, Brendon Julian and Kerry O’Keeffe had contrasting thoughts as to what selectors will do, which is a pointer to the puzzle they are trying to solve in a team likely to arrive in Gqeberha in front.
“Inglis is the next cab off the rank, right? But he’s not an opener and he’s not a three. They want Inglis back in,” Julian said.
“He’s back over there at the moment now. He’s running around and he’s doing what he’s got to do. He’s saying, ‘I am ready to come back in.’
“Obviously, he’ll play wherever they want to, or wherever they put him. But are they going to open with him?”