South Africa and Australia gear up for blockbuster series to launch defining year

South Africa and Australia are set to renew one of Test cricket’s great battles for a highly-anticipated three-match series, beginning in Durban on Friday, in a repeat of the most recent World Test Championship final and marking the start of a potentially era-defining 12 months for both sides.

For fans already counting down the days for the return of the County Championship, whose interest in England’s one-sided second half of the summer waned, or those left questioning the sanctity of the beautiful game after the shenanigans in the recent Canada Super 60, this is a time for the traditionalist to cherish with captivating Test action and 50-over preparations dominating the international calendar.

A cancelled tour due to the Covid pandemic in 2021 means this is the first time the marquee series has been played in South Africa since the fiery meeting eight years ago, culminating in the infamous sandpaper scandal that rocked Australia and the world of cricket.

While providing a fascinating subplot, for both South Africa and Australia all focus firmly lies on the challenge ahead and the possibilities that could be achieved with a high-profile Test schedule and a ODI World Cup in store.

For exclusive stories and all the detailed cricket news you need, subscribe to The Cricket Paper website, digital edition, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day

FOLLOW OUR LIVE SCORES CENTRE

Aussies begin gruelling away run

Australia’s upcoming Test assignments have been likened to the equivalent of Tennis Grand Slams or Golf Majors.

A trio of overseas tours to South Africa, India and England between now and July 2027 is then followed by an ODI World Cup defence later in the year.

A first-ever four-match series with Trans-Tasman neighbours New Zealand and the 150th Anniversary Test against England also await at home, while adding the possibility of another WTC final makes it a taxing stretch of 19 high-stakes Tests in 10 months.

There has been plenty of talk around this Australia side recently, particularly ahead of the Ashes series last year and alarm bells rang following the shock defeat to Bangladesh in August.

They responded emphatically on those two occasions, though weaknesses were evident.

For a Test side ranked world No.1 and well-positioned to qualify for a third successive WTC final, negativity around Australia’s veteran group has perhaps been a little unwarranted.

Australia’s recent away form has been strong too, winning in New Zealand, Sri Lanka and West Indies with an aggregate score of 7-0.

Though it is the major away series where they have yet to fulfil their stature as a truly great side.

It has been more than two decades since they previously won a series in either England or India, while their last victory in South Africa was 2014 (albeit only one series in 2018 has been played since).

For those firmly in the twilight of their careers, including Steve Smith who could surpass both Allan Border and Steve Waugh for Test runs this month, as well as Pat Cummins as captain, this period presents a unique opportunity to define a golden generation.

All eyes on misfiring batters

So will this prove to be a perfectly timed swan song, or a brutal end to the chapter for a side past its peak?

They have perhaps to some extent gambled their succession planning on the former.

The average age of the XI is approaching the mid-30s. All-rounders Cameron Green and Cooper Connolly resemble the only sense of long-term future in the current squad.

Despite the selection critics, it is difficult to argue going against the current tried and tested formula.

Marnus Labuschagne is perhaps the exception, retained at no.3, despite averaging just 24.69 in his last 43 Test innings without a century – he did notch a timely ton in the recent warm-up match.

Both South Africa’s and New Zealand’s probing attack will provide a thorough examination for a batting group that looked so fragile against Bangladesh.

Matt Renshaw will be hoping to consolidate his spot in the batting order after three predecessors were all swiftly dispensed with, while Connolly could begin to establish himself as an all-format regular.

Nic Maddinson’s surprise call-up highlighted concerns around both age profile and depth options – the 34-year-old batter has not played first-class cricket in over 18 months and scored just 27 runs in three Test appearances a decade ago but could be deployed as an opener.

Elsewhere though, Sheffield Shield numbers have proved increasingly uninspiring in the context of more bowler-friendly conditions, a reason used to defend the recent struggles in the Test arena.

Campbell Kellaway, Jason Sangha, Oliver Peake and an in-form Nathan McSweeney could have been handed opportunities to stake their claim.

Selectors would argue none have done quite enough yet to seriously force their hand.

Will the ‘Fab Four’ hold up?

If the batting unit has proved a tough nut to crack, the bowling attack has been near impenetrable.

The default quartet are all set to start in Durban, just as they did in 2018.

That longevity at the highest level is the reason Scott Boland and Brendan Doggett are the only quicks to have debuted this decade.

Boland, 37, and Michael Neser, 36, will once again be waiting in the wings.

Green’s injury leaves the skipper as the youngest quick at Australia’s disposal aged 33.

By contrast, England’s eldest of a transformed post-Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad attack is Ollie Robinson at 32.

England named seven players aged below 30 in their most recent Test, while Australia’s XI in Durban could well be entirely over the age of 30.

But then results are not determined by average age. And why would you look to disrupt a settled team that has performed consistently?

Parallels have been made with the mass exodus of stars in the late-2000s.

There is another changing of the guard looming with the likelihood that Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon simultaneously call time on their Test careers within the next 12 months.

Have Australia sufficiently future-proofed for such a sudden impact to their core?

The pace bowling stocks appear less clear should the workload take its toll on Cummins and Hazlewood who have both returned from injury layoffs.

Many contenders have been hampered by injuries themselves, namely Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris, while Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson have been primarily operating in the white-ball format.

Fergus O’Neill’s domestic returns and young speedster Mahli Beardman do offer some encouragement.

Proteas to deliver on home soil?

For South Africa, this series represents a long-awaited homecoming for the World Test Champions, 16 months on from the momentous victory over Australia at Lord’s.

The Proteas currently sit second behind Australia in the WTC standings, thanks largely to an historic 2-0 win in India, but have only played a total of four matches in this current cycle, the last of which in Pakistan was nearly a year ago.

Having avoided both Australia and England in their run to the final between 2023-25, they now prepare to face both across a bumper home summer of eight matches which also includes a series with Bangladesh.

They too have a few lingering doubts around their batting unit and superstar Kagiso Rabada’s involvement is subject to fitness but there is plenty to admire about South Africa’s current talent pool.

Both South Africa and Australia are chasing history of their own.

For Australia, this group of players could be standing on the edge of greatness, or equally the edge of a cliff. Only time will tell. But a tricky transition period looms large nevertheless.

As for South Africa, they are out to forge a legacy of their own under their underrated talismanic leader Temba Bavuma, with the prospect of defending their WTC crown and winning an elusive white-ball title in a home World Cup.

READ MORE: England to face co-hosts South Africa as 2027 ODI Cricket World Cup fixtures announced