Proteas v Australia decider at Newlands: XIs, times and how to watch

The Proteas and Australia are playing the deciding third Test at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October 2026, with the series level at 1-1. Play starts at 10:30 each day (SuperSport, News24). In South Africa you can watch it live on SuperSport Cricket, DStv channel 212, and on DStv Stream (SuperSport).

Australia won the toss on Tuesday morning and chose to bowl first, after Steve Smith was ruled out with a neck problem (cricket.com.au).

Why is the Newlands Test a series decider?

Each side has won one Test. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa hit back to win the second in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs (ICC, SuperSport). Whoever wins at Newlands takes the series. The series is part of the ICC World Test Championship, and South Africa go into it as the reigning champions (ICC, SuperSport).

What are the Proteas and Australia XIs?

South Africa made one change from Gqeberha, with Gerald Coetzee in for Anrich Nortje (cricket.com.au). Cricket South Africa says Nortje has a mild groin injury, picked up while bowling in the second Test (ICC, News24).

South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (captain), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee (cricket.com.au)

Australia XI: Matthew Renshaw, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Cooper Connolly, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood (cricket.com.au)

Why is Steve Smith not playing?

Smith failed a fitness test on his neck about an hour before the toss. Captain Pat Cummins said Smith "wasn't happy with how his neck was feeling, so we had to look elsewhere" (cricket.com.au).

Australia made four changes in total. Green, Inglis, Connolly and Lyon came in, and Scott Boland was left out despite taking five wickets in an innings in Gqeberha (cricket.com.au).

When does play start and when does the Test end?

Source: SuperSport, Cricket South Africa. The Test can finish early if one side wins before day five.

Where can I watch the third Test in South Africa?

SuperSport has the rights. The match is live on SuperSport Cricket, DStv channel 212, and on DStv Stream. SuperSport says SuperSport Cricket is included in the DStv Sports package, launched on 17 September, and former DStv Compact customers were moved onto it automatically (SuperSport).

For the latest score, follow Cricket South Africa's official match page or SuperSport.

Can I still get tickets for Newlands?

Tickets are sold through TicketPro on Cricket South Africa's official ticket site. The day 3 listing on Thursday 29 October shows tickets from R100. Check the site for the day you want, as availability can change. Cooler boxes, glass, cans, alcohol, umbrellas and vuvuzelas are among the items not allowed into the ground (Cricket South Africa tickets).