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Australia tour of South Africa
Test Series
2nd Test
South Africa v Australia
St George's Park
Gqeberha, South Africa
Sunday, 18 October 2026 – Thursday, 22 October 2026
Start time is at 10h00
South Africa will look to bounce back and level the three-match series when they take on Australia in the second
Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha, starting 18 October.
Aussies Take Series Lead in Durban
Even though Aiden Markram scored 75 in the second innings and Wiaan Mulder took 4 wickets in the match, South Africa's main batters failed twice at Kingsmead.
A brilliant 190 from opener Matt Renshaw and great bowling by Josh Hazlewood (6 for 49 in the second innings) gave Australia a comfortable 214-run victory in the first Test, taking a 1-0 series lead.
Head-to-Head in Tests
This will be the 103rd Test match between South Africa and Australia.
Heading into the fixture, South Africa have won 26 of the 102 previous encounters, while Australia lead with 55 victories and 21 matches ending in a draw.
Team News
South Africa hope fast bowler Kagiso Rabada can return after missing the first Test with a hamstring injury. Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer could both play on a pitch in Gqeberha that usually helps spin bowling.
Australia, meanwhile, will likely keep the same fast-bowling attack led by captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, with Nathan Lyon as their main spinner as they go for the series victory.
Key Players
Aiden Markram and captain Temba Bavuma will be vital to steadying the Proteas' top order following a tough outing in Durban.
Simon Harmer could play a decisive role if St George's Park offers turn later in the Test.
Matt Renshaw and Steve Smith, on the other hand, remain central to setting up big totals for Australia, while Josh Hazlewood arrives in peak form after his six-wicket match-winning haul.
Quotes
"There were some soft dismissals, and I could probably put myself in that category," Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said ahead of the 2nd Test.
"Against a top outfit, those things get exposed. I think it's a certain level of pressure that some of the guys weren't accustomed to, but the first game is out of the way, and we should be better prepared for Gqeberha."
ICC Men's Test Team Rankings (Top Five)
Australia (126 pts)
South Africa (119 pts)
New Zealand (106 pts)
India (105 pts)
England (102 pts)
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