South Africa v Australia third Test: Newlands decider starts 4.30pm Malaysia time with series level 1-1
Coetzee replaces the injured Nortje for South Africa, while Australia sweat on Steve Smith's stiff neck before the Cape Town decider.
South Africa and Australia meet at Newlands in Cape Town from today, Tuesday 27 October, with their three-Test series level at 1-1 and plenty at stake in the World Test Championship. First ball is scheduled for 10.30am local time, which is 4.30pm in Malaysia, and the hosts have already named their XI, bringing in fast bowler Gerald Coetzee for the injured Anrich Nortje. Australia, meanwhile, are monitoring captain Pat Cummins' deputy Steve Smith, who is nursing a stiff neck.
How the series got here
Australia took the lead with a 214-run victory in the first Test in Durban. South Africa hit back emphatically in Gqeberha, winning by an innings and 31 runs. Marco Jansen was central to that result, scoring 85, taking a five-wicket haul and claiming the final wicket on the fifth evening. Kagiso Rabada, back in the side, removed key batters in both innings.
The Gqeberha defeat was Australia's first by an innings since they lost to India in February 2023. Cricket Australia's preview also notes that Australia have not lost back-to-back Tests since 2023, a record that is now on the line in Cape Town.
Team news: Coetzee in, Nortje out
Nortje has been ruled out of the rest of the series with a groin injury after bowling only 3.3 overs in the first innings of the second Test. Coetzee comes in as the only change to South Africa's attack, with Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson missing out and spinner Keshav Maharaj on the bench. Ryan Rickelton continues as wicketkeeper.
South Africa's XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee.
Australia had not confirmed their side at the time of writing. Their likely line-up features Travis Head and Matt Renshaw at the top, with Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey and Josh Inglis to follow. The main question is in the bowling. Cummins has described the problem of fitting five match-winners into four slots, with Scott Boland, who impressed in Gqeberha, and Nathan Lyon both pushing for selection alongside Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
Fitness concerns for Smith and Green
Smith left a net session abruptly during a fitness test on the eve of the match. Cummins said he hoped Smith would be able to play, though not at full fitness. Green has recovered from an abdominal strain picked up during the ODI series and is fit to bat, but cannot bowl, which affects the balance of the side. Inglis is back to full fitness after a broken finger.
Newlands history and WTC stakes
Australia have won 10 of their 14 Tests at Newlands, but they have lost three of their last four there, and South Africa have won three of the last four meetings at the ground. Seamers have dominated in Cape Town recently: since 2020 fast bowlers have taken 84 wickets at the venue compared with just nine for spinners. Rabada has 52 Test wickets at Newlands, his second-highest tally at any ground.
In the World Test Championship, Australia remain top of the table but need results to stay there, while South Africa slipped to third behind New Zealand after the Durban defeat. The hosts still have home series against Bangladesh and England to come, which leaves them well placed in the race for the 2027 final.
For Malaysian viewers, the three daily sessions are expected to run 4.30pm-6.30pm, 7.10pm-9.10pm and 9.30pm-11.30pm, with up to 30 minutes extra available to complete the day's overs.
Key takeaways
- The third Test at Newlands runs from 27 to 31 October with the series tied 1-1.
- Play starts at 10.30am local time, 4.30pm in Malaysia.
- Gerald Coetzee replaces Anrich Nortje, who is out with a groin injury.
- Steve Smith has a stiff neck and Cameron Green can bat but not bowl.
FAQ
What time does the third Test start in Malaysia? First ball is at 10.30am in Cape Town, which is 4.30pm Malaysia time, each day from 27 to 31 October.
What were the results of the first two Tests? Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa won the second in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.
Why is Anrich Nortje missing? He suffered a groin injury in the second Test after bowling 3.3 overs and has been ruled out of the series.
Sources: Cricket Australia (cricket.com.au), Wikipedia