*Official* Australia tour of South Africa 2026

[Qlder]

Huge news if Rabada is out

 

[andruid]

Lucky smith

Jansen will make him pay

 

[Stefan9]

Yeah I heard, who replaces him ?
Or do me make spinning tracks, that does increase the entertainment level by watching OZ batters (barring Smith) play spin

I would say the temptation to go 2 spinners at Durban will be very high. PE as well. The question will be who gets the nod at cape town.

The first few rounds of local season now becomes important.

 

[Gob]

I mean Australia have good spin depths and they play spin better than they used to so not sure if that will improve South Africa's chances massively compared to going in with a quick dominant set up. South Africa starts as favorites in either case but more so with seaming decks imo

 

[Bahseph]

Didn’t they just introduce drop in pitches at some venues? I know for sure Kingsmead has one now. Anyway I don’t know how those are going to play? Kingsmead has been low and slow for a while, with most of our recent spinners (Maharaj, Muthusamy, Subrayen) hailing from these parts.

KG being out is a huge blow but there’s enough depth in the seam department to not make the drop off insane. Jansen, Maharaj are probably locks to play that first Test, but honestly they could go Ngidi/Coetzee/Harmer as the other two bowler spots OR play either Muthusamy or Mulder as the allrounder. I genuinely don’t know which way it will go.

Looking forward to the series because other than our last visit to Aus, these series have been great entertainment from the late 2000s. Hoping for a close one!

 

[govinda indian fan]

Didn’t they just introduce drop in pitches at some venues? I know for sure Kingsmead has one now. Anyway I don’t know how those are going to play? Kingsmead has been low and slow for a while, with most of our recent spinners (Maharaj, Muthusamy, Subrayen) hailing from these parts.

KG being out is a huge blow but there’s enough depth in the seam department to not make the drop off insane. Jansen, Maharaj are probably locks to play that first Test, but honestly they could go Ngidi/Coetzee/Harmer as the other two bowler spots OR play either Muthusamy or Mulder as the allrounder. I genuinely don’t know which way it will go.

Looking forward to the series because other than our last visit to Aus, these series have been great entertainment from the late 2000s. Hoping for a close one!

Sa vs Australia contest in esp in south Africa are extremely high quality with brilliant fast bowling, terrific slip catching and attacking batting. As a netural looking forward to it

 

[Top_Cat]

Ngidi is a huge threat to this Aussie line up. Think he found the same movement at Lords that Bangladesh exploited and he's taking wickets, albeit in Euro T20s. South Africa will really miss a trick if he misses out.

 

[SeamUp]

I mean Australia have good spin depths and they play spin better than they used to so not sure if that will improve South Africa's chances massively compared to going in with a quick dominant set up. South Africa starts as favorites in either case but more so with seaming decks imo

I do think our batsman have shown to be quite adaptable in our recent up-turn. Lots of people putting their hands up in all conditions. I do fancy us if spin became the go to, but agree not drastically. I also think it's just the natural state of Durban these days & St George's/Newlands in the past have been grounds you could play two spinners at but it hasn't been that way for a while.

The other uncertainty is the time of the year. Cape Town is normally winter rain fall (worst months are July/August and rain can go into September) but we've hardly had any rain for 2 months. If it was normal I think seam and swing would have been the absolute go-to for Newlands.

 

[SeamUp]

Didn’t they just introduce drop in pitches at some venues? I know for sure Kingsmead has one now. Anyway I don’t know how those are going to play? Kingsmead has been low and slow for a while, with most of our recent spinners (Maharaj, Muthusamy, Subrayen) hailing from these parts.

KG being out is a huge blow but there’s enough depth in the seam department to not make the drop off insane. Jansen, Maharaj are probably locks to play that first Test, but honestly they could go Ngidi/Coetzee/Harmer as the other two bowler spots OR play either Muthusamy or Mulder as the allrounder. I genuinely don’t know which way it will go.

Looking forward to the series because other than our last visit to Aus, these series have been great entertainment from the late 2000s. Hoping for a close one!

Sen had a back operation. Seems to have struggled in recovery. It's a pity because he deserved that Kent opportunity as well. Think he would have been ace for them.

I imagine he will be in the squad if he proves his fitness for the Warriors.

 

[GoodAreasShane]

I saw it being suggested on crapinfo that South Africa might be looking to ask Nortje to come back to red ball cricket, be interested to know if that's a genuine possibility or just wishful thinking not based on reality

Considering who wrote the article, my suspicion is the latter, but I would be interested to hear from someone closer to the scene

 

[SeamUp]

I saw it being suggested on crapinfo that South Africa might be looking to ask Nortje to come back to red ball cricket, be interested to know if that's a genuine possibility or just wishful thinking not based on reality

Considering who wrote the article, my suspicion is the latter, but I would be interested to hear from someone closer to the scene

I think it is something Shukri would consider. He is open minded but considering Nortje last played a FC game 3.5 years ago and isn't contracted in SA, it will be unlikely.

But my suspicion is that they will have Gerald Coetzee in the squad. Why he didn't go around on the T20 circuit this winter.

 

[Bahseph]

I think it is something Shukri would consider. He is open minded but considering Nortje last played a FC game 3.5 years ago and isn't contracted in SA, it will be unlikely.

But my suspicion is that they will have Gerald Coetzee in the squad. Why he didn't go around on the T20 circuit this winter.

Yeah I think Nortje at his best is a better Test bowler but Coertzee hopefully hasn’t shown us everything he can do yet. I wouldn’t risk Nortje but with Mulder existing it wouldn’t be a 4 man attack.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Dear South Africa,

Please close all hardware stores in Cape Town prior to the Test

Sincerely, Australian cricket fan

 

[Qlder]

Australia's ODI squads for Zimbabwe and SA to be named tomorrow. Already said though that Cummins will likely miss the Zimbabwe series.

Hazlewood also said he would like to play 2 of the 3 games in both series, which is probably a good thing to keep him bowling with his history of injuries coming after a long spell off?

 

[SeamUp]

Yeah I think Nortje at his best is a better Test bowler but Coertzee hopefully hasn’t shown us everything he can do yet. I wouldn’t risk Nortje but with Mulder existing it wouldn’t be a 4 man attack.

100%

But at the same time I wouldn't be assuming Mulder plays every test. Think if you have 2 spinners especially you can get away with 4.

And anyways most tests barely last 4 days now. Bowlers must get some stamina and strength back if it is necassary.

 

[Top_Cat]

Lots of ifs and buts with Nortje. He is taking wickets in the ETPL but it has been raining here so dunno if it means much. If they anticipate short spells and he's cranking it up, maybe he's a bolter because his pace would trouble the Aussies.

 

[govinda indian fan]

Sure marnus isn't getting this tour. Bloke has been dogshit for Last three years and with openers problem sure smith would be forced to walk @ 10-2

 

[Bahseph]

100%

But at the same time I wouldn't be assuming Mulder plays every test. Think if you have 2 spinners especially you can get away with 4.

And anyways most tests barely last 4 days now. Bowlers must get some stamina and strength back if it is necassary.

Have we gone in with four bowlers under Conrad?

 

[Gob]

Marnus is set to be named in the squad

A glorious home coming beckons

 

[Molehill]

Dear South Africa,

Please close all hardware stores in Cape Town prior to the Test

Sincerely, Australian cricket fan

Maybe put Marnus on shopping duties…