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Australia and South Africa meet in second Test at Gqeberha
Australia and South Africa are playing the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha.
Australia leads the series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Durban.
The match is taking place in drizzly, overcast conditions, with a damp, grassy pitch expected to affect play.
Australia is weighing its batting order after Matt Renshaw scored 190 and 82 in the first Test at number five.
Former captain Steve Waugh has urged selectors to keep the batting order settled, while captain Pat Cummins has defended the team’s flexibility.
Scott Boland was warming up before the toss, suggesting he could be selected, though the final team was not yet confirmed.
The match gives Australia a chance to build its series lead, while South Africa will try to level the contest.
Australia and South Africa met in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on October 18, 2026.
Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first on a damp day.
Australia left Nathan Lyon out and selected an all-pace bowling attack.
Kagiso Rabada returned for South Africa, while Keshav Maharaj was left out.
Australia entered the match 1-0 ahead in the three-Test series after winning the first Test by 214 runs.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa.
- What
- They met in the second men’s Test of a three-match series. Australia chose to bowl first.
- When
- October 18, 2026.
- Where
- St George’s Park in Gqeberha, in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
- Why
- The match was the second Test in the series; Australia led 1-0 after winning the first Test.
Steve Waugh
Australia’s team management
Batting order
Steve Waugh
Waugh said Australia should settle on fixed batting roles.
Australia’s team management
Pat Cummins and Matthew Wade said flexibility in the batting order gave the team options and helped it adapt.
Australia beat South Africa by 214 runs in Durban to take a 1-0 series lead.
Australia won the toss and chose to bowl first in the second Test at Gqeberha.
- Series score before second Test
- Australia led 1-0
- Series format
- Three Tests
- First Test result
- Australia won by 214 runs
- Venue
- St George’s Park, Gqeberha
- Australia bowling selection
- All-pace attack; Nathan Lyon left out
- South Africa selection
- Kagiso Rabada returned; Keshav Maharaj left out
5 sources
Lyon left out as Australia go all-pace and bowl first on damp day
South Africa v Australia: second men’s cricket Test, day one – live
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Live: Australia, South Africa set for second Test in drizzly Gqeberha
South Africa bat first in second Test against Australia - scorecard
What people are saying
They've got to pick and stick now
It's got to be pretty compelling to move him [Renshaw] from there
If the conditions tell us it's time to change the batting order, we'll make that change
Posts on X
Covers are off. George Bailey having a look at the pitch. https://t.co/zxuy8Dhbls