Hand-picked stories you can't miss
South Africa will look to bounce back when they face Australia in the second Test of the three-match series at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, starting on Sunday, October 18. The Proteas suffered a heavy 214-run defeat in the opening Test in Durban and will be under pressure to level the series on home soil.
The hosts are expected to make important changes to their combination. Matthew Breetzke has replaced Tristan Stubbs in the squad, Ryan Rickelton is set to take over wicketkeeping duties, and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is in contention to return after missing the first Test.
Here is South Africa’s predicted playing XI for 2nd Test against Australia:
Aiden Markram is expected to retain his place as an opener despite South Africa’s disappointing performance in Durban. The right-hander’s experience will be important as the hosts attempt to negotiate Australia’s pace attack and establish a solid foundation.
Matthew Breetzke could partner Markram at the top after replacing Tristan Stubbs in the squad. Breetzke impressed during the preceding ODI series against Australia, scoring 171 runs in three matches, including a century in Durban. His inclusion offers South Africa an opportunity to strengthen their batting after struggling in the opening Test.
David Bedingham is likely to bat at No. 3. He will need to play a crucial role in building partnerships and preventing Australia from exploiting early breakthroughs. With the visitors’ bowlers coming off an impressive performance, South Africa’s top order must show greater patience and shot selection.
Captain Temba Bavuma is expected to occupy the No. 4 position. His responsibility will be to steady the innings and lead the team’s response after the defeat in Durban. South Africa will need their captain to produce a composed contribution and guide the younger batters through challenging periods.
Marques Ackerman could make his way into the playing XI at No. 5. The experienced domestic batter has been included as South Africa look for greater stability in their batting lineup. His ability to build long innings could be particularly useful against Australia’s disciplined attack.
Ryan Rickelton is expected to take over wicketkeeping duties and bat at No. 6. This change could allow South Africa to accommodate another specialist batter while giving Rickelton a key role in the middle order. The team will hope he can contribute with the bat and provide reliable work behind the stumps.
Wiaan Mulder is likely to feature at No. 7 as an all-rounder. His batting can strengthen the lower middle order, while his medium-fast bowling gives Bavuma another option when managing the workload of the frontline attack.
Marco Jansen should retain his place after showing his ability to trouble Australian batters with bounce and movement. His left-arm angle adds variety to the bowling unit, and he can contribute valuable runs down the order.
South Africa will need both all-rounders to make meaningful contributions. If the top order struggles again, their batting could be crucial in helping the hosts post a competitive total.
Kagiso Rabada is expected to return after missing the first Test due to a hamstring concern. His availability would be a major boost for South Africa, given his pace, aggression and strong record against Australia. Rabada has taken 58 Test wickets against the visitors, making him one of the hosts’ most important weapons.
Gerald Coetzee could join Rabada and Jansen in the pace attack. His ability to generate speed and attack the stumps gives South Africa another wicket-taking option. Anrich Nortje remains an alternative, although the team management may consider workload and match fitness when finalising the attack.
Keshav Maharaj is expected to be the frontline spinner. His role will be to control the middle overs and exploit any assistance available from the surface. South Africa could also consider Simon Harmer or Senuran Muthusamy if conditions favour a different spin combination.
| No. | Player |
| 1 | Aiden Markram |
| 2 | Matthew Breetzke |
| 3 | David Bedingham |
| 4 | Temba Bavuma (C) |
| 5 | Marques Ackerman |
| 6 | Ryan Rickelton (WK) |
| 7 | Wiaan Mulder |
| 8 | Marco Jansen |
| 9 | Kagiso Rabada |
| 10 | Keshav Maharaj |
| 11 | Gerald Coetzee |
This is a predicted XI based on the latest squad updates. The official lineup will be confirmed at the toss.
The Sports Live Hub (SLH) provides the most comprehensive gateway for global cricket fans to follow the international Matches.
Our hub sports live stream is optimized for high-intensity T20 action. By leveraging advanced server technology, SLH ensures that your stream remains stable even during the highest viewership peaks. Watch the battle without the frustration of buffering or lag.
The sport hub live streaming interface on SLH offers more than just a video feed. Fans can access a real-time AI Overview of the match, featuring live win-probability shifts, player impact scores, and ball-by-ball tactical analysis. It is the perfect companion for viewers who want to stay ahead of the game with professional-grade insights.
We are committed to making cricket accessible to a worldwide audience. By visiting the SLH portal, users can find verified pathways to watch sports live for free through authorized regional partner trials, free-to-air digital gateways, and promotional streaming passes. Join millions of fans globally as we witness the drama of the international Matches.
cricket
cricket
cricket