Australia will play a Test in South Africa for the first time since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal when a three-match series begins in Durban on October 9.
The Cape Town incident took place in March 2018, when footage showed Australian players using sandpaper to alter the ball. It led to suspensions, including captain Steve Smith. Since then, South Africa has hosted Australia for Tests, while Australia toured for limited-overs matches. The Hindu says South African media have paid less recent attention to the scandal than the Australian press.
South Africa is seeking a return to the 2025–27 World Test Championship final after beating Australia in last year’s decider. Australia enters the series after a surprise home Test loss to Bangladesh in August and ahead of an Ashes tour to England next June.
The matches will be played at Kingsmead, where the surface may give spinners a leading role, unlike South Africa’s typically pace-friendly pitches. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj impressed in India last November, and spin also helped South Africa beat Australia in a recent one-day series.
South Africa may rest Kagiso Rabada as he returns from a hamstring injury. Australia must replace injured all-rounder Cameron Green; Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson, who has recovered from cancer, are options at number five. South Africa also has to select a number-three batter, with a possible debut for Marques Ackerman among the choices.