Australia returns to South Africa for its first Test tour since the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, with the opening match of a three-Test series beginning at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, October 9.
There is plenty at stake for both sides. Australia currently leads the World Test Championship standings, while South Africa sits second after defeating the Australians in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's.
The Proteas also claimed a 2-1 victory in the recent ODI series between the nations, giving the hosts plenty of confidence heading into the red-ball contest. With Australia's batting order unsettled and South Africa sweating on the fitness of Kagiso Rabada, the first Test shapes as a fascinating betting contest.
Read on for our South Africa vs Australia 1st Test preview, and if you're considering a new sports betting site for your betting this weekend, then why not check out Up Ya Go!
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Match Details
| Match |
South Africa vs Australia, 1st Test |
| Dates |
Friday October 9 – Tuesday October 13, 2026 |
| Venue |
Kingsmead, Durban |
| Start Time |
6:30pm AEDT |
| Series |
Three Tests |
| Broadcast |
Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports |
South Africa vs Australia Betting Odds
The opening Test is priced as an extremely close contest, with Australia holding only a marginal advantage in the early betting.
| Match Result |
Indicative Odds |
| Australia |
$2.05 |
| South Africa |
$2.10 |
| Draw |
$10.00 |
Odds are indicative only and have not been verified against live Australian bookmaker markets. Prices are subject to change.
Despite Australia's favouritism, there are several reasons to give South Africa serious consideration at home.
Australia Team News and Form
Australia enters the series with some selection headaches, particularly in the batting department.
Cameron Green has been ruled out of the first Test with an abdominal injury, while Josh Inglis is also unavailable after fracturing a finger. Their absences have resulted in Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper joining the touring squad.
Much of the pre-series discussion has been over the surprise choice of Maddinson to join the touring party, who could make his first Test appearance in almost a decade. Selectors have cited his versatility in the batting order rather than his recent Shield numbers, although selectors also have Beau Webster and Cooper Connolly among their middle-order options.
Marnus Labuschagne has strengthened his position at number three after scoring a century in the tour match against South Africa A, while Travis Head seems likely to continue opening alongside Matthew Renshaw.
Australia's greatest strength remains its bowling attack. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are all available, with Nathan Lyon providing the spin option. If there's any niggles the Scott Boland has been bowling the house down in the nets as the story of Australia's unluckiest cricketer continues.
The bowling lineup is capable of taking 20 wickets on almost any surface, and their experience could prove decisive if the Durban wicket offers assistance to the seamers.
However, Australia's batting remains a concern. The tourists lost the opening Test against Bangladesh in August before recovering to square the series, and South Africa possesses a significantly stronger bowling attack.
South Africa Team News and Form
South Africa enters the series as the reigning World Test Champion and has won 13 of its previous 14 Test matches.
Captain Temba Bavuma has developed into one of the most reliable middle-order batters in world cricket, while Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs provide plenty of talent at the top of the order. Markram was particularly influential in South Africa's World Test Championship final victory over Australia, and his ability to counter the Australian quicks will again be important.
The biggest selection concern surrounds Kagiso Rabada, who is recovering from a hamstring injury and appears doubtful for the series opener. His absence would be a significant blow, although the Proteas still have Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Dane Paterson and Anrich Nortje among their pace options.
Spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer could also play important roles, particularly if South Africa selects two specialist spinners.
Maharaj demonstrated his effectiveness at Kingsmead during September's ODI series, taking 4-20 against Australia on a surface that offered considerable assistance to spin.
Kingsmead Pitch and Weather Conditions
Kingsmead has traditionally offered assistance to fast bowlers, particularly when there is moisture in the surface and movement through the air.
In the two Tests played at the venue since the Covid pandemic, pace bowlers have claimed 46 wickets at an average of 22.51, compared with 26 wickets at 27.11 for spinners.
However, the recent ODI between these sides demonstrated that spin can also become a major factor in Durban.
This is the first Test match ever scheduled at Kingsmead during October, adding some uncertainty about how the wicket will behave across five days.
The toss and final pitch inspection will be important considerations for bettors, particularly those looking at first-innings totals, session markets and the match result.
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test Betting Tips
Australia deserves respect given its outstanding pace attack and strong recent record at Kingsmead, where it has won on its previous three visits.
However, the betting market appears to be giving the tourists slightly too much credit. South Africa has been remarkably consistent in Test cricket, has home-ground advantage and recently defeated Australia in both the World Test Championship final and the ODI series. The absence of Cameron Green also weakens Australia's batting depth and removes an additional bowling option.
Rabada's potential absence is the major concern for South Africa backers, but the Proteas have enough bowling depth to remain competitive without him.
At around $2.10, South Africa is our narrow selection, although this is not a high-confidence bet. If Rabada is ruled out and the pitch heavily favours Australia's three frontline quicks, the value becomes less convincing.
Best Bet – Match Winner
South Africa to Win
$2.10
Player Bet: Temba Bavuma to Score 50+ in the First Innings
South Africa's captain has produced some excellent Test performances in recent years and looks an attractive option in the individual batting markets.
Across his previous 13 Tests, Bavuma has scored three centuries and six half-centuries at an average of 53.25. He also has a strong record at Kingsmead, including scores of 70 and 113 against Sri Lanka in 2024.
With Australia's pace attack likely to challenge the South African top order, Bavuma's ability to absorb pressure could make him particularly valuable.
Bavuma to Score 50+ 1st Inns
$3.40
