The stage is set for Australia and South Africa to do battle on the final day of the third and deciding Test, with the series on the line and the Aussies chasing 288 runs for victory.<\/p>\n
Fox Sports Australia spoke exclusively with Australian cricket greats Kerry O\u2019Keeffe, Michael Hussey and Brendon Julian ahead of today\u2019s play to get their thoughts on the biggest talking points heading into day five.<\/p>\n
From Marnus Labuschagne potentially batting to save his Test career, to the keys for Australia if they are to pull off a famous victory.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also what a series win could mean for the legacy of this Australian side, alongside the heated battle expected between the two rivals on the final day.<\/p>\n
The three experts have weighed in on it all ahead of what promises to be a thrilling finish, with coverage beginning at 7:00pm AEDT.<\/p>\n
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE TO PLAY FOR HIS CAREER<\/p>\n
Marnus Labuschagne is batting for his Test career on the final day of the third and deciding Test, as Australia looks to pull off a stunning victory against South Africa.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the view of Australian cricket great Kerry O\u2019Keeffe, who believes the pressure is firmly on the struggling No.3 to deliver in the second innings, with Australia chasing 288 runs for victory.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he\u2019s playing for his career in this second innings,\u201d O\u2019Keeffe told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s been a marvellous player, but he\u2019s in a drought, and they\u2019ve given him a lot of opportunity to get out of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hasn\u2019t happened yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Australian all-rounder Brendon Julian shares a similar view and believes the uncertainty surrounding Labuschagne\u2019s future could give him the freedom to play his natural game, with his place in the side under serious threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s got an advantage here to go, if they\u2019re going to drop me, I\u2019m just going to go for it. I\u2019m going to play my shots,\u201d Julian told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/3cb04908226c50915509ec3e23bc87aa.jpeg\")
The pressure is mounting on Australian No.3 Marnus Labuschagne.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s looked tentative. He hasn\u2019t looked settled at the crease.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think this is an opportunity for him just to let it go and swing hard. That\u2019s what I\u2019d be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julian went a step further, suggesting Labuschagne\u2019s place in the side could already be lost ahead of Australia\u2019s next Test against New Zealand in Perth.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think he\u2019s going to play the next Test match in Perth,\u201d Julian said.<\/p>\n
However, former Australian batter Michael Hussey isn\u2019t prepared to write Labuschagne off just yet, although he admits another failure could see the 32-year-old spend some time out of the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, I\u2019d never say it\u2019s the end of his Test career if he doesn\u2019t make runs this time,\u201d Hussey told foxsports.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt might mean he finds his way out of the team for a little while. But as we\u2019ve seen with other players along their journey, been able to come back and still contribute to the Aussie team.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just he\u2019s had a bit of a tough couple of years.\u201d<\/p>\n
Labuschagne will enter the second innings under enormous pressure after falling for a five-ball duck in the first, having registered scores of 37, 37, 19 and 39 across the opening two Tests of the series.<\/p>\n
Despite showing glimpses of his best, the Australian No.3 has been unable to turn his starts into a significant score, with questions continuing to mount over how much longer selectors can persist with him.<\/p>\n
BJ Previews Day 5 of the Final Test | 14:20<\/p>\n
O\u2019Keeffe believes the deciding Test presents Labuschagne with a crucial opportunity to prove he still belongs in the Australian side.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s threatened to a couple of times and not gone on with it,\u201d O\u2019Keeffe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, batting three in a chase that will captivate everybody, he has to stand up, and if he does, his career progresses.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he doesn\u2019t, I think they\u2019ll look at other options.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those options could include the likes of Kurtis Patterson, Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas, who have been pushing their cases at Sheffield Shield level.<\/p>\n
But Julian believes Labuschagne\u2019s biggest selection headache could already be sitting alongside him in the Australian dressing room, with Josh Inglis strengthening his case for a permanent spot after scoring a century in the first innings.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, you\u2019ve got to look at the guy that\u2019s come in and scored 100. I mean, Josh Inglis has scored 100, you can\u2019t drop him for the next Test match,\u201d Julian said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s done exactly what you\u2019ve wanted him to do.\u201d<\/p>\n
Despite the pressure surrounding Labuschagne, O\u2019Keeffe doesn\u2019t believe he necessarily needs to score a century to save his place.<\/p>\n
Instead, the former Australian spinner believes the importance of his contribution to the run chase could ultimately determine whether he has done enough to retain his spot.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think he needs innings of context,\u201d O\u2019Keeffe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Australia was to go close or even reach the target, if he plays an innings of significance in the chase, then his career is revived, so that is the key.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, it could be 50 or 60 on a turning pitch, it doesn\u2019t necessarily have to be 100 if Australia get there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marnus Labuschagne has struggled to find his best form with the bat.Source: AFP<\/p>\n
Hussey shares a similar belief, with the former Australian great more concerned about how Labuschagne bats than the number of runs he scores, although another failure could leave selectors with a difficult decision ahead of the New Zealand series.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s getting good starts, but hasn\u2019t been able to go on with it,\u201d Hussey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s probably the disappointing thing for him personally, is that he has had opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as he gets a really good score, helps Australia win, and looks good while he\u2019s playing, then I guess that gives you a pretty good indication that he\u2019s not in a bad place.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the series on the line, Labuschagne has the chance to silence his critics and deliver the innings Australia desperately needs.<\/p>\n
But with Steve Smith expected to return and Inglis strengthening his position in the side, another failure could leave selectors with little choice but to make a change.<\/p>\n
THE KEYS FOR AUSTRALIA START AT THE TOP<\/p>\n
With Australia needing 288 runs to win the deciding Test against South Africa, getting off to a strong start will be crucial if the Aussies are to pull off a famous victory.<\/p>\n
Travis Head and Matt Renshaw will have the responsibility of facing the new ball, with O\u2019Keeffe believing the opening partnership could be the difference between winning and losing the series.<\/p>\n
\u201cRenshaw has looked the most compact on the turning pitches. He has to survive the new ball against Rabada and Jansen,\u201d O\u2019Keefe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut if he does, he has the game on a slow turning pitch to upset Harmer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Julian agrees, pointing to Renshaw\u2019s form throughout the series as a major reason why he could hold the key to Australia\u2019s chase.<\/p>\n
Run Out disaster! RSA’s nightmare blow | 04:02<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the key\u2019s Renshaw. He\u2019s the one that looks most comfortable at the crease, at the top of the order,\u201d Julian said.<\/p>\n
But while Renshaw will look to hold things together at one end, Head\u2019s attacking style could be just as important at the other.<\/p>\n
The left-hander has the ability to put South Africa under pressure early, with O\u2019Keeffe believing his aggressive approach could give Australia the start they need.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he (Head) gets away, he\u2019s going to play his shots, any width he\u2019s going to throw the bat at,\u201d O\u2019Keeffe said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s gettable on the last day, 90-odd overs, but Trav will have to hit a lot of fours to get them away.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Hussey, a strong start is about more than just putting runs on the board, with the opening partnership also having a major role to play in taking the pressure off Australia\u2019s middle order.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf he (Head) can, play that significant innings, then obviously that would get Australia off to a good start, but it also gives the freedom for the other guys coming in a bit later,\u201d Hussey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we did happen to lose a few wickets early, then those guys in the middle order, like your Cam Green, your Inglis, your Carey, they\u2019re going to be sort of caught in two minds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Australia needs 288 runs to secure a famous series victory.Source: AFP<\/p>\n
\u201cDo we keep going hard for the runs, or we can\u2019t afford to lose any more wickets as well?\u201d Hussey said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo that indecision makes it a really awkward situation. It\u2019s going to be a fascinating watch, but I probably think the top three are going to be the key.\u201d<\/p>\n
But it won\u2019t just be Australia\u2019s batting that determines the outcome, with Julian believing South African captain Temba Bavuma also has a major role to play.<\/p>\n
Julian believes Bavuma has missed opportunities with his bowling changes throughout the series and will need to get his decisions right on the final day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI reckon he\u2019s missed a lot of opportunities in the match-ups, especially in the first innings,\u201d Julian said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, he\u2019s got to take the initiative, and if they sort of jump on it and put pressure on Australia, it will be hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE<\/p>\n