South Africa v Australia third Test at Newlands: live from Cape Town

The third men's Test between South Africa and Australia is being played at Newlands in Cape Town. The live scorecard shows South Africa on 329 and Australia on 153 for 2, after Australia won the toss and chose to field [1]. That decision means South Africa batted first, and the scorecard shows their score as 329 [1]. The status line reads that Australia trail by 176 runs with eight wickets remaining [1].

The scorecard lists the series as Australia in South Africa, 2026/27, and gives the Test as running from 27 to 31 October at YesPlay Newlands in Cape Town [1].

Why the series matters

Australia's tour is their first Test tour of South Africa since 2018, and IANS describes it as their first red-ball tour since the ball-tampering episode [3]. The Test series follows three one-day internationals and a warm-up in September and early October, and it starts at Kingsmead on 9 October [2]. The tour is a three-Test series in 2026-27, and IANS notes that Australia have not played a full Test tour of South Africa in the eight years since 2018 [3]. The first Test was at Kingsmead in Durban from 9 to 13 October, the second at St George's Park in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October, and the third at Newlands runs from 27 to 31 October [2].

The tour also included three one-day internationals in September. The first was at Kingsmead on 24 September, the second at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 27 September, and the third at JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom on 30 September, a day-night match [2]. A warm-up match followed at JB Marks Oval on 3 and 4 October [2]. Cricket Australia's schedule marks only the Potchefstroom ODI as a day-night match, and it says the tour's matches are broadcast in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket [2].

Newlands and the 2018 background

The third Test is at Newlands, which IANS describes as the venue where the 2018 scandal unfolded [3]. That episode was the ball-tampering incident that led to bans for senior Australian players. Steve Smith and David Warner received 12-month bans for their involvement, and Cameron Bancroft served a nine-month suspension [3].

The same report says Warner has retired from international cricket and that Bancroft is unlikely to feature in this series [3]. The final Test is therefore played at the ground that carries that history [3] [2].

What to watch next

The first question is how far Australia can cut into the 176-run deficit with eight wickets in hand [1]. The Test is scheduled to finish on 31 October, and the final result will settle the third Test of the series [2] [1].

This article does not report the result of the second Test at St George's Park, played from 18 to 22 October [2].