Australia are set to play a Test match in Cape Town for the first time since the 2018 ball‑tampering scandal that halted the careers of several of their players.
A defeat to South Africa this week in the series‑decider – live on Sky Sports Cricket – could end several careers.
After a heavy defeat in Gqeberha – where they were bowled out for 99 in the first innings – Australia need a strong response.
If they fail to respond, the Australian media’s backlash could be harsher than the sandpaper incident Cameron Bancroft tried to hide eight years ago.
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In 2018 footage emerged of Australia opener Cameron Bancroft using a foreign object to alter the condition of the ball against South Africa
The batting has been struggling for some time.
During the 4‑1 Ashes loss to England last winter, the middle order was steadied by Travis Head, Steve Smith and Alex Carey, but in South Africa the tourists have managed only three half‑centuries – one each for Head and Matt Renshaw.
Without Travis Head in Durban, the situation would have been far worse. His second‑innings 121 outscored the next‑best Australian score by 81 runs.
Even captain Steve Smith, who served a ban for his part in the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal alongside Cameron Bancroft and David Warner, has struggled, making three scores in the twenties and a three.
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Steve Smith was dismissed by Marco Jansen in the first Test at Durban after being rapped on the gloves
A neck injury suffered in Gqeberha has put Steve Smith’s fitness in doubt ahead of the decisive Cape Town Test.
If he fails the fitness test, it would boost Marnus Labuschagne’s chances of retaining his place.
Labuschagne and selector Bailey under big pressure?
Former captain Ricky Ponting has called Marnus Labuschagne’s position ‘untenable’, noting that the batsman has now gone 47 innings without a Test century, dating back to the 2023 Ashes.
Labuschagne has started well in South Africa, his birthplace, making three scores in the thirties across four innings, but he has yet to convert those starts into a big score.
Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne has not scored a Test century in over three years
He was dismissed lbw, sliced to cover, caught at gully by Simon Harmer, and then unforgivably holed out to long‑on in the second innings of the second Test, a match Australia were trying to salvage.
A failure this week could end his tenure; even a playing run without success would be similarly damaging. Should Australia collapse as a team, pressure on head selector George Bailey could intensify.
Former skipper Steve Waugh has questioned selector George Bailey’s willingness to make decisive choices, recalling criticism of the selection of Nic Maddinson for the South Africa tour, which Matthew Hayden had also condemned.
Maddinson ditching after recall highlights Australia’s issues
The 34‑year‑old Nic Maddinson, who missed first‑class cricket since March 2025 after a testicular cancer diagnosis, previously averaged just 6.75 in his first three Tests in 2016.
Matthew Hayden accused the selectors of “disrespecting first‑class cricket” and “promoting the greatest pile of mediocrity we’ve seen in a generation of cricket.”
The selection of Nic Maddinson was criticised and the 34-year old has now been dropped from the Australia squad after failing to score big runs in South Africa
Maddinson’s form has been dismal in this series, scoring only 56 runs at an average of 14 across four innings – 48 of those coming in a single knock that followed a 33‑ball duck, a four‑ball duck and a ten‑ball eight.
He has since been released from the squad, with Matt Renshaw set to open the innings alongside Travis Head in Cape Town.
Given his health battle, many expected Maddinson to succeed, but his lack of runs raises the question of whether a younger player should have been given the chance.
Options such as Ollie Davies, Sam Konstas, Campbell Kellaway and Nathan McSweeney were available.
The broader issue for Australia is the lack of a deep pool of high‑scoring domestic performers – unlike past eras when players averaging over 40 in county cricket and at home were ready to step up.
All of the emerging talents mentioned above are currently averaging in the mid‑30s or less in first‑class cricket.
Will Bavuma extend excellent record as captain?
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South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored a superb 179 from 334 balls in the second Test
In contrast, South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma provides a reliable source of runs; his outstanding 179 from 334 balls in Gqeberha leaves him averaging 49.95 in his last 28 Tests.
That ton, scored after he joined the innings at 12‑2, was a typical Bavuma effort.
He anchored the chase as the Proteas slipped to 110‑6 before rallying to 425‑9, securing a 12th win in 14 Tests as captain.
This presents an excellent opportunity for Bavuma to extend his record to 13 wins from 15 Tests, unless Australia can mount a comeback in Cape Town.
Unlike the turmoil of 2018, this contest will be played within the official rules.
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