Australia to play first Test in South Africa since 'Sandpapergate'

Australia will play their first Test in South Africa since the 2018 ball-tampering scandal when they begin a three-match series in Durban on Friday (October 9). The visitors’ involvement in the Cape Town incident in March 2018 remains a public reference point, but they are expected to receive little more than sporadic heckling in South Africa.

Australian captain Pat Cummins led his side from the field after their match against Bangladesh on day four of the first Test in Darwin on Aug. 16, 2026, and the team arrive in South Africa seeking form after a surprise home defeat by Bangladesh in August. South Africa, having beaten Australia in last year’s World Test Championship final at Lord’s to claim their first major title, are concentrating on improving their prospects of reaching the end of the 2025–27 WTC final.

The tourists’ attempt to roughen the ball with sandpaper in Cape Town in March 2018 was captured on camera and prompted sanctions back home, with Steve Smith among those banned for their part in the episode. Since then, South Africa have played Tests in Australia and Australia have toured South Africa for limited-overs internationals, but recent coverage of the scandal has been more prominent in the Australian media than in South Africa.

Durban’s Kingsmead pitches can be changeable and are expected to offer spinners opportunities that contrast with South Africa’s typically seamer-friendly surfaces. Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj troubled opponents in India last November and triumphed in their last two Test outings, and spin played a significant role when South Africa beat Australia in the recent One-Day International series.

South Africa may rest frontline paceman Kagiso Rabada as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury. Australia’s squad selection is affected by an injury to all-rounder Cameron Green, creating an opening at number five for Cooper Connolly or a possible return for 34-year-old Nic Maddinson following his recovery from cancer.

Coach Shukri Conrad faces a decision at South Africa’s number three position, with several options under consideration including the possibility of awarding a first cap to 30-year-old Marques Ackerman. Those selection choices will shape the teams named for the opening Test.

The three-Test series opens in Durban on Friday (October 9), with both sides set to use the match as an early chapter in their respective campaigns in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.