South Africa have confirmed their playing XI for the third and deciding Test against Australia at Newlands, Cape Town, with the match scheduled to run from October 27 to 31, 2026. Temba Bavuma leads the side in a series decider, with both teams locked at 1-1 after two Tests.
The Proteas are compelled to make one change from their previous XI. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out through injury, and fellow quick Gerald Coetzee steps in as his replacement. This will mark Coetzee's first Test
appearance since November 2024, meaning he returns to the longest format after a gap of nearly two years.
On the Australian side, opening batsman Nic Maddinson has been left out of the squad. There are also concerns surrounding former captain Steven Smith, whose availability for the third Test is in doubt owing to a neck injury. Australia had taken the opening Test at Kingsmead in Durban by 214 runs before South Africa levelled the contest.
How did the series reach a decider at Newlands?
South Africa squared the series in the second Test at St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, where they triumphed by an innings and 31 runs. That commanding victory set up a winner-takes-all finale at Newlands in Cape Town.
Playing XI for Third Dafabet Test vs Australia 🚨#TheProteas skipper, Temba Bavuma, confirms the playing XI for tomorrow’s third and final Dafabet Test, with the series on the line at YesPlay Newlands. 🇿🇦
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 26, 2026
🔁 One change for #TheProteas sees Gerald Coetzee coming in for Anrich… pic.twitter.com/lRZobnN0OQ
South Africa will enter the contest with added confidence as the reigning World Test Championship champions. The Proteas secured the prestigious title by defeating Australia in the WTC final at Lord’s in London, marking a significant achievement in their Test cricket journey. They will now aim to build on that success and demonstrate their strength in the longest format when the two sides meet again in Cape Town. Australia,
South Africa's XI for the third Test vs Australia:
Aiden Markram, Marques Ackermann, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (C), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (WK), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Gerald Coetzee, Kagiso Rabada
Australia full squad for the third Test against South Africa
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
