South Africa v Australia, 1st Test: Kingsmead Hosts the Opener of a Three-Match Series

South Africa and Australia begin a three-Test series at Kingsmead in Durban on Friday, part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle. Play starts at 9:30 AM local time, which is 1:00 PM IST, and the match runs to 13 October.

South Africa beat Australia in the 2025 World Test Championship final at Lord's, and they won the ODI series that opened this tour 2-1.

Australia go into the series top of the World Test Championship table on a points percentage of 80.00, according to the ICC standings, with South Africa second on 75.00 and New Zealand third on 72.22.

Temba Bavuma leads South Africa, whose squad includes Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram and Anrich Nortje. Pat Cummins captains Australia, with Steve Smith as vice-captain, and Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in the squad.

The second Test is at St George's Park in Gqeberha from 18 to 22 October, and the third at Newlands in Cape Town from 27 to 31 October.