South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Preview and Predicted XI

South Africa and Australia begin their three-match Test series on Friday, October 9, with the opening game scheduled at Kingsmead in Durban. The match starts at 12:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time and marks the first Test between the sides since South Africa won the 2025 World Test Championship final. 

Australia enter the match with a slight edge in the available win probability, at 47% compared with South Africa's 45%, while the draw is rated at 8%. Both teams have strong pace attacks, but injuries have already created selection questions before the first ball.

South Africa Prepare for Australia Test

Temba Bavuma will lead a South Africa squad featuring Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, David Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder. Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje and Gerald Coetzee strengthen the pace attack, while Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer provide spin options.

Kagiso Rabada remains a key selection question as he works his way back from a hamstring injury. He bowled in South Africa's recent intra-squad match and could feature if cleared.

Tony de Zorzi will miss the first Test after suffering a hamstring injury during the final ODI against Australia.

Australia Face Cameron Green Blow

Australia will be without Cameron Green for the first Test after he suffered an abdominal strain in the final ODI. Cooper Connolly or Nic Maddinson could replace him, while Beau Webster remains an all-round option.

Pat Cummins will lead a squad featuring Steve Smith, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon.

Josh Inglis will also miss the Test with a fractured finger, with Sam Harper added as wicketkeeping cover.

South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Match Details

The first Test will be played at Kingsmead in Durban from Friday, October 9, to Tuesday, October 13. The scheduled start time is 12:30 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

Event	Australia tour of South Africa
Format	1st Test
Date	Friday, October 9
Time	12:30 PM PST
Venue	Kingsmead, Durban
Series	3-match Test series
South Africa Captain	Temba Bavuma
Australia Captain	Pat Cummins

Players to Watch

Kagiso Rabada could be one of the biggest players in the match if he passes his final fitness test. The fast bowler has 340 Test wickets and would give South Africa another major threat against Australia's batting order. 

Aiden Markram will also be important for South Africa, particularly with the hosts needing their top order to handle Australia's pace attack.

For Australia, Steve Smith remains a major Test batting threat, while Travis Head can change the momentum quickly with his aggressive approach. Marnus Labuschagne also heads into the Test after scoring a century in Australia's tour match, giving him some useful momentum before the series opener. 

Nathan Lyon could become increasingly important if the Kingsmead surface starts offering more turn as the Test progresses.

Kingsmead Pitch and Weather

Kingsmead has traditionally offered assistance to fast bowlers, particularly when there is movement available early in the innings. The surface could also become more helpful for spin as the match progresses.

Australia are considering their combination carefully because of the expectation that the Durban pitch could turn later in the Test. Keshav Maharaj could therefore have a major role for South Africa, while Nathan Lyon remains Australia's main spin threat. 

The weather outlook is also favorable for the opening Test, with sunny conditions expected in Durban. 

South Africa Predicted Playing XI

Temba Bavuma (C), Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram, David Bedingham, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (WK), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Gerald Coetzee

Rabada's inclusion remains subject to his final fitness assessment.

Australia Predicted Playing XI

Matt Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cooper Connolly, Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Cooper Connolly and Nic Maddinson remain options for the vacant batting spot following Green's injury.

South Africa vs Australia Test Series

The opening Test in Durban is the first of three matches in the series. The second Test will be played in Gqeberha from October 18 to 22, followed by the third Test in Johannesburg from October 27 to 31.

The series is also part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, making the results important for both teams as they push toward another WTC final appearance.

Watch South Africa vs Australia Live

Follow South Africa vs Australia live for the first Test from Kingsmead, Durban, with live scores, updates and key moments from the three-match series. The first Test begins at 12:30 PM Pakistan time on October 9.