Modern-day Test series do not come much bigger than this. It is Australia in South Africa for the first time since the infamous ‘Sandpapergate’ incident way back in 2018.
That year in Cape Town, Cameron Bancroft was caught altering the condition of the ball on the pitch with sandpaper, which ultimately sparked scenes of chaos.
Bancroft, Steve Smith and David Warner received lengthy suspensions, with Smith the only member of the trio returning to South Africa eight years on.
The world-class batsman, now vice-captain to Pat Cummins, will likely receive a hostile reception throughout what should be an enthralling three-match series.
And the added caveat here is the fact South Africa beat Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last summer, a contest headlined by Aiden Markram’s superb fourth-innings century.
So, what storylines will unfold in the latest chapter of this historic cricketing rivalry? Well, we will soon find out when action gets underway in the First Test on Friday morning!
Check out our full online betting preview for the clash in Durban below, which features the latest cricket odds from the NetBet Sport platform.
Where can I watch South Africa vs Australia in the UK?
South Africa vs Australia will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with action set to get underway at 08:30am UK time on each day.
South Africa vs Australia First Test Preview
Recent results
South Africa’s Test record of late is impeccable. Temba Bavuma’s impressive side sit unbeaten from their last seven series, with the most recent adventure seeing them claim a 2-0 victory in India. And you have to go back to early 2020 and a 2-1 England success for the last time the Proteas lost a Test series at home.
Australia avoided defeat in their last nine Test series, though did draw 1-1 with Bangladesh on home soil back in August – losing the First Test in Darwin by a whopping nine wickets. Away from home, Cummins’ side recently beat New Zealand (2-0), Sri Lanka (2-0) and West Indies (3-0) – but a trip to South Africa, combined with an unsettled batting lineup, is another matter entirely.
Oh and lest we forget, South Africa won 2-1 in the latest ODI series between these sides, which served as the perfect warm-up act!
Head-to-head record
Australia won 2-1 in South Africa back in 2013-14, before the Proteas recorded consecutive 3-1 victories – once away from home and the other being the infamous 2018 series.
The last time these two nations clashed in a full Test series was back in 2022-23, with the Aussies winning 2-0 at home.
Team news
Kagiso Rabada is in contention to feature for South Africa as he steps up his recovery from a hamstring injury, which would be a massive boost for the hosts. If he is saved for the Second Test, expect an attack made up of Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch and one of Gerlald Coetzee or Dane Paterson – as well as two spinners in Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer. Batsman Tony De Zorzi is ruled out with a hamstring strain.
Bowling-wise, Australia look all but certain to deploy the familiar and lethal quartet of Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, but it is the batting unit where things look unsettled. Cameron Green misses out through injury, which throws yet another spanner in the works and could see Nic Maddinson make a shock return to Test cricket – having last played in December 2016. Matt Renshaw appears likely to open alongside Travis Head in another top-order change, while out-of-sorts Marnus Labuschange will continue to occupy the No3 spot.
South Africa vs Australia First Test Odds
*All odds are subject to change
South Africa are slight underdogs on home soil at a price of 2.14. A victory for Australia is at odds of 1.96, and with no rain forecast, the draw is available at 8.20.
South Africa vs Australia First Test Betting Tips
Top batter – Steve Smith @ 4.50
Smith has been the glue which has held Australia’s batting line-up together for many years now, and Cummins needs his main man more than ever for this series. Smith averages a healthy 41.10 in South Africa from 11 innings, and arrives in the country with typically great Test form behind him. He averaged 57.20 with the blade in the 4-1 Ashes victory over England, before tallying 157 runs at an average of 52.33 in the two-match series vs Bangladesh. With the shadow of ‘Sandpapergate’ still lurking, it would be typical sporting irony for one of the main instigators to light up the the stage eight years on.
Top bowler – Keshav Maharaj @ 5.00
As mentioned above, South Africa may look to deploy two spinners here, because many experts are tipping the pitch at Kingsmead to turn at some point. Furthermore, Australia have really, really struggled against left-arm spin in recent times, which potentially paves the way for the experienced and ever-improving Maharaj to weave his magic. The spinner was superb in the recent ODI series, taking 4/20 and 2/54 in the first two matches to help guide South Africa to victory. If Durban conditions suit him, Maharaj should be a real threat.
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