Pat Cummins has won the toss and elected to bowl first as Australia make four changes, including Steve Smith missing with a neck issue and Scott Boland being left out, for the deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands.
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With the 2026 series between the world’s best two Test sides on the line in Cape Town from tonight (7.30pm AEDT), the Aussies were sweating on the fitness of Steve Smith since a neck issue caused him significant grief during the second Test in Gqeberha.
The sight of Smith with a heat pack on his neck as he walked across the Newlands field in full gear just hours before the first ball of the third Test was an alarming sight for Australian fans.
Vision from cricket.com.au’s Josh Schönafinger of a pre-match ‘fitness test’ for the star batter on match eve in Cape Town didn’t inspire confidence, either.
Smith was in visible discomfort as he played a pull shot off a throwdown, repeatedly kicking out in frustration.
He then quickly packed up his gear – including a wide assortment of bats – in an abrupt end to the practice session.
Smith’s absence has opened the door for back-up batter Josh Inglis recalled to the team, having fractured a finger during the preceding ODI series that ruled him out of the first two Tests.
With the series tied 1-1, Australia have made major changes, with Nic Maddinson already returning to Australia, while Scott Boland and Beau Webster made way.
Cameron Green, Cooper Connolly and Nathan Lyon were brought in along with Inglis, while Matthew Renshaw will opening the batting and Marnus Labuschagne has been given what could be his final lifeline.
South African captain Temba Bavuma, meanwhile, said memories of the thrashing the team received when last in Australia back in 2022 lingered in their memories.
Only rain in Sydney during the pink Test precluded Australia from sweeping the series and the proud Proteas skipper said it stung to be dominated in that fashion.
“There is a massive desire there, especially for the older guys,” Bavuma said.
“In the last Test series in Australia, they bullied us in their backyard. They played unbelievable cricket
“There is that motivation for us to right those wrongs. And also to look after our home record. There is a lot to it. I don’t feel I have to motivate anyone to ensure the result goes our way.”
Both South Africa and Australia are eyeing off a spot in next year’s World Test Championship Final at The Oval after the Proteas clinched the title in the most recent cycle when beating the Pat Cummins-captained team at Lord’s last June.
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The victor of this series will be a step closer to playing in the decider and Bavuma said that, rather than the fact the status as the world’s best Test team is at play, was a motivating factor. He rated winning The Mace as the pinnacle in Test cricket.
“I definitely think winning the final (rates more highly),” he said.
“There is just a little bit more to it. You go there, are at Lord’s, it’s a once off game. You have to play at your best. I think there is a little more to it for the sentimental value.
“The No.1 ranking, there is value in it. It shows you have consistently played well over a period of time, but I don’t understand the formulas that go into it.”
That does not diminish from what is at stake over the next five days at Newlands according to Bavuma, who made a magnificent century in Gqeberha to turn the second Test South Africa’s way.
“I think it’s exciting that we have managed to get it to this point, one-one coming to Newlands, (where there are) not many better places to play cricket,” he said.
“In terms of the bigger picture, it’s an opportunity for us to get closer to the final. It’s definitely not another game of cricket. Some guys in the group haven’t tasted a Test victory over Australia, so it would be nice for them to experience that.”
The Proteas made one forced change, with the injured Anrich Nortje replaced by fast bowler Gerald Coetzee.
That does not mean Bavuma believes the Aussies are overly susceptible to pace, despite the collapse in Gqeberha when they were bowled out for 99 runs, but he said the 26-year-old will add another layer to the superb South African attack.
“They are used to facing bowlers at high speed, but just in terms of how we balance our bowling attack, you want the guy who can play that enforcer role when the wicket gets flat or when it gets soft,” he said.
“Gerald is a guy who can do that. You have Marco (Jansen) who comes in on a different angle, Wiaan (Mulder) comes on a different angle. As a batter that keeps you on your toes.
“We did consider the fact he hasn’t played for a while, but he’s been with the team getting his workloads in. He is a guy we believe has the ability to make a big play for the team.”