The highly anticipated three-match Test series between South Africa and Australia got underway on Friday (October 9) at the iconic Kingsmead Stadium in Durban.
This series holds monumental significance as it marks Australia's very first Test tour to South Africa since the infamous 2018 "Sandpapergate" ball-tampering scandal at Newlands.
The series also serves as a massive rematch of the 2025 ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at Lord's, where South Africa shocked many by defeating Australia to clinch the coveted title.
Incredibly, due to a heavily packed short-form and T20 league schedule, this match is South Africa's first home Test in 16 months since winning that world crown, allowing captain Temba Bavuma and his squad to finally celebrate their status as World Test Champions in front of their local supporters.
“It's our first time playing Test cricket since we're the WTC champions here at home,” Bavuma said at the pre-match press conference on the eve of the first Test.
“We'd like to celebrate that moment with our local fans. Hopefully, the people in Durban will come out in support tomorrow," he added.
Bavuma made it clear that his team is looking at nothing but a win against the visiting Australian team.
“The focus is on this game. We want to put out the best team to be competitive in this game and obviously to win it,” he stated.
The drama has already begun before a ball was bowled, as South Africa's premier fast bowler, Kagiso Rabada, was ruled out of the opening clash due to a hamstring injury. Rabad’s injury may have paved the way for Anrich Nortje’s inclusion in the playing XI.
“A guy like him (Nortje) is hard to ignore. There aren't many guys around who are bowling 150-plus, and I think as a batter, that's not something that I would look forward to. He fits in very well into our approach from a bowling point of view with regards to the fast bowlers. I think the time that we've had here as well, he's been very impressive in the nets. I think it was a calculated call to give Anrich Nortje a go,” Bavuma said.
The South African captain also praised the versatility of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, highlighting his batting ability at number six or seven, his usefulness with the new ball, and his reliable slip catching.
“Wiaan gives you a little bit more with the bat. I think in that position, six, seven, you need someone that can score big runs. Wiaan has shown he can do that. The opportunity is there. And I think with the new ball as well, in terms of the role that we see him playing, we believe that he can be effective in that. He's a good slip catcher as well. So I think that also counts in his favour. But yeah, probably the overriding factor was his ability with the bat,” he remarked.
South Africa Playing XI: Temba Bavuma (c), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich Nortje.
