South Africa vs Australia 1st Test: Confirmed & Predicted Playing 11

The South Africa vs Australia 1st Test starts on October 9 at Kingsmead in Durban, with play beginning at 1:00 PM IST. South Africa have already confirmed their Playing XI for the series opener.

Australia still have a few selection decisions to make after Cameron Green’s injury ruled him out. South Africa will also miss Kagiso Rabada, while Anrich Nortje returns to the Test side.

This article covers South Africa’s confirmed Playing XI, Australia’s predicted XI, the Test series schedule, squads, head-to-head record and live streaming details.

South Africa Confirmed Playing XI For South Africa vs Australia 1st Test

South Africa has named their Playing XI for the series opener, with their bowling combination attracting particular attention.

Here is the South Africa Playing XI in batting order:

1. Aiden Markram
2. Ryan Rickelton
3. David Bedingham
4. Temba Bavuma (c)
5. Tristan Stubbs
6. Wiaan Mulder
7. Kyle Verreynne (wk)
8. Marco Jansen
9. Simon Harmer
10. Keshav Maharaj
11. Anrich Nortje

South Africa have selected two frontline spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, while Nortje returns to the Test side for the first time since 2023. Marco Jansen and Nortje are expected to lead the pace attack, with Mulder providing another seam option.

Australia Predicted Playing XI

Australia have not yet confirmed their Playing XI. Cameron Green’s absence leaves the selectors with a key decision in the middle order.

The selectors also have to balance their batting depth with the conditions expected in Durban.

Here is the predicted Australia Playing XI in batting order:

1. Travis Head
2. Matthew Renshaw
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steve Smith
5. Nic Maddinson
6. Alex Carey (wk)
7. Beau Webster
8. Pat Cummins (c)
9. Mitchell Starc
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

Maddinson is the leading option to replace Green in the middle order, while Webster can provide another seam-bowling option. Australia are also expected to rely on their established pace trio of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood, with Lyon as the frontline spinner.

South Africa vs Australia Test Series Schedule

The three-Test series will take both teams to three South African venues across October. The opening Test starts in Durban, followed by matches in Gqeberha and Cape Town.

Here is the complete South Africa vs Australia Test series schedule:

Day and Date	Format	Teams	Time [IST / GMT / Local]	Venue	Result
Friday, October 9, 2026	1st Test	South Africa vs Australia	1:00 PM / 7:30 AM / 9:30 AM	Kingsmead, Durban	TBD
Sunday, October 18, 2026	2nd Test	South Africa vs Australia	1:30 PM / 8:00 AM / 10:00 AM	St George’s Park, Gqeberha	TBD
Tuesday, October 27, 2026	3rd Test	South Africa vs Australia	2:00 PM / 8:30 AM / 10:30 AM	Newlands, Cape Town	TBD

South Africa vs Australia 2026 Test Series Squads

Both South Africa and Australia have named their best for the three-match Test series, with injuries already affecting the combinations for the opening match.

Here are the squads for the South Africa vs Australia 2026 Test Series:

South Africa Test Squad

Temba Bavuma (Captain), Marques Ackerman, Aiden Markram, Senuran Muthusamy, Corbin Bosch, Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, David Bedingham, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj.

Australia Test Squad

Pat Cummins (Captain), Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Steven Smith, Nic Maddinson, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Beau Webster, Michael Neser, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Sam Harper, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Kuhnemann, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc.

Josh Inglis is unavailable for the first Test because of a fractured finger and is expected to return for the second Test.

South Africa vs Australia Head-to-Head in Tests

South Africa and Australia have faced each other 102 times in Test cricket. Australia hold the overall advantage with 54 wins, while South Africa have won 27 Tests and 21 matches have ended in draws.

Here is the complete head-to-head record between South Africa and Australia in tests:

Team	Matches	Won	Lost	Draw
Australia	102	54	27	21
South Africa	102	27	54	21

How to Watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Live In India?

Indian viewers can watch the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live on Eurosport Network on TV. Live streaming will be available on the FanCode app and website, with a pass available for ₹35.

Take a look at how to watch the 1st Test live in different countries:

Region	TV / Streaming Platform
South Africa	SuperSport and DStv Stream
Australia	Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports
United Kingdom	Sky Sports Cricket
USA & Canada	Willow TV

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Conclusion

The South Africa vs Australia Test series brings together two experienced sides with plenty of quality across their squads. The opening match should offer an early indication of how both teams shape up across the series.

With several established names and emerging players in the squads, the three Tests provide plenty to follow. Fans can now keep track of the final selections, match timings and live coverage as the series gets underway.

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