South Africa v Australia: 1st Test preview and Dream11 tips for Kingsmead, Oct 9-13, 2026
South Africa and Australia begin their three-match Test series at Kingsmead in Durban from October 9-13, 2026, with the first Test scheduled across those dates. Pat Cummins will captain Australia while Cameron Green is ruled out of the opening match, and Marnus Labuschagne struck a century in a practice game against a CSA XI.
The Test series follows an action-packed ODI series between the two sides. It is the first time since 2017/18 that Australia will play a Test in South Africa after the Sandpapergate incident. South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, aim to carry ODI momentum into the longer format. Kagiso Rabada is not available for the first Test, and the preview notes South Africa retain a more experienced bowling lineup than in the ODIs.
Historically the teams have met in 101 Test matches: Australia have won 54, South Africa 26 and 21 matches have been drawn. The preview describes Australia as having struggled with the bat in this format and relying heavily on a couple of batters. Based on those factors and home advantage, the piece backs South Africa to win the first Test in Durban.
The forecast for the next five days in Durban calls for partly cloudy conditions on days two and three, temperatures around 25 to 27°C and humidity between 75% and 85%. Kingsmead is described as a bouncy pitch that offers good pace for fast bowlers and plenty of swing in the prevailing conditions. The preview also states that technically sound batsmen can play long innings and that spinners are likely to have a role as the pitch eases later in the match.
South Africa's nominated XI is Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj and Anrich Nortje. Australia’s listed XI is Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
Dream11 recommendations in the preview list batters as Steve Smith, Temba Bavuma and Travis Head, and all-rounders as Aiden Markram, Marco Jansen, Beau Webster and Wiaan Mulder. One set of suggested bowlers includes Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Keshav Maharaj, with Travis Head as captain first-choice, Pat Cummins second-choice captain, Aiden Markram as vice-captain first-choice and Simon Harmer as vice-captain second-choice. An alternate configuration lists Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Simon Harmer as bowlers, Marco Jansen as captain first-choice and Steve Smith second-choice, and Beau Webster as vice-captain first-choice with Temba Bavuma as vice-captain second-choice.
The SA vs AUS 1st Test will take place between October 9-13, 2026 at Kingsmead, Durban. For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.