Australia have officially backed struggling Marnus Labuschagne, naming him in the 16-player squad for the upcoming three-Test tour of South Africa, starting October 9.

Despite an extended form slump where he has averaged just 24.69 across 43 Test innings without a century since July 2023, chief selector George Bailey has thrown Labuschagne a lifeline.

However, Bailey emphasized that Labuschagne is not guaranteed a spot in the starting XI for the first Test in Durban, as selectors plan to deliberate on the final top-order composition leading up to the match.

Labuschagne faces competition from rising all-rounder Cooper Connolly and backup batter Josh Inglis. However, Bailey believes runs are just around the corner for the former No.1 ranked Test batter.

"We are not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marnus. That's clear, but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad," Bailey said while speaking to the media on Monday (September 7).

"I think our batting group in its entirety, not just Marnus, probably hasn't been functioning as successfully as we would like, but also not shying away from the fact that we've continued to win a lot of Test matches over that period.

"And that ultimately, I think that's the key, isn't it? Scoring more runs than the opposition that you're playing the game in."

Marnus Labuschagne looked out of sorts during the two-Test home series against Bangladesh last month, managing just 36 runs across three innings.

Bailey is looking at the bright side of Labuschagne missing out on the ODI squad for South Africa tour, seeing it as a perfect opportunity for him to focus on red-ball preparations.

"I think Marn (Labuschagne) will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series," Bailey stated.

"Clearly there's potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red-ball cricket for him in the fact that he won't be in the one day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit.

"He'll prepare incredibly well and specifically for this tour. And as I said, in that squad of 16, I'm confident that he can still make a positive contribution."

This crucial series marks Australia's first Test tour to South Africa since the controversial 2018 series. Only five players in the current squad—Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mictchell Starc, Steve Smith, and Matthew Renshaw—have previously been part of an Australian Test tour to the country.

The series carries major weight for the World Test Championship Final race, as Australia currently leads the standings with South Africa close behind in second place. 

While South Africa had defeated Australia in the WTC Final at Lord's last year, George Bailey emphasized that a three-match series presents an entirely different tactical challenge.

"I think those one-off matches are a little bit different, potentially, to a series," Bailey said. "But they are a formidable opponent. They're a strong team, very, very strong bowling attack. They showed that in that World Test Championship Final, and we expect nothing different here. On that side of it, I think it's shaping up. It's going to be a fantastic series."

Australia squad for South Africa Test tour: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster