CAPE TOWN: South Africa will turn to fast bowler Gerald Coetzee to replace the injured Anrich Nortje in the series-deciding third Test against Australia, starting at Newlands on Tuesday, as both sides prepare for a contest that could have significant consequences for their World Test Championship (WTC) ambitions.
The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the opening Test by 214 runs before South Africa responded with an innings and 31-run victory in Gqeberha. With the deciding match being played at one of cricket’s most historic venues, the hosts will also have an opportunity to reclaim the top position in the world Test rankings with a victory.
Captain Temba Bavuma confirmed on Monday that South Africa would otherwise retain the side that levelled the series, backing the players who produced a commanding performance in the second Test.
Coetzee, who last played Test cricket two years ago, offers a like-for-like replacement for Nortje, whose return to the national side after a three-year absence was cut short by a groin injury. Both bowlers can reach speeds of around 150 kilometres per hour, providing the attacking pace South Africa will seek alongside Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen.
“He’s the closest we’ve got to a like-for-like replacement for Anrich Nortje,” Bavuma said of Coetzee. “Gerald’s got that extra bit of pace. You need someone in that enforcer role who can pick up a wicket when the wicket is flat.”
Coetzee has had recent international exposure, featuring in two of the three one-day internationals against Australia last month, and South Africa believe his pace could prove decisive if the Newlands surface offers little assistance to the bowlers.
Bavuma also highlighted the value of all-rounder Wiaan Mulder, whose disciplined medium pace helped South Africa secure victory in Gqeberha. Mulder’s ability to bring the stumps into play offers a different option to the hosts’ frontline fast bowlers.
“When you want someone who brings the stumps into play, Wiaan comes into the conversation,” Bavuma said.
South Africa have further incentive to prevail, with a victory strengthening their position in the race for the WTC final, which they won against Australia at Lord’s last year. However, Bavuma cautioned against looking too far ahead.
“There is a lot of cricket to be played before we get closer to the final against England, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka,” he said. “It is going to be a tough encounter and we want to see guys go out and do special things for the team.”
Australia, meanwhile, will delay naming their playing XI until Tuesday morning as they assess the fitness of key batter Steve Smith, who suffered a neck injury during the second Test. Captain Pat Cummins said the former skipper would be given every opportunity to prove his fitness, although his participation will depend on how he responds to a final examination and a more demanding session in the nets.
Smith has endured an unproductive tour with the bat, averaging a little over 20 across four innings, and his injury has added to the uncertainty surrounding Australia’s batting order. He also took a blow to the head during the first Test.
“He’s been awesome this tour,” Cummins said, praising Smith’s involvement with the team and his attitude despite the setbacks. “He’s one of the greatest batters we’ve ever had. You don’t play 100-odd Tests without matches where you’re not 100 per cent fit.”
Australia are expected to bring Cameron Green back into the middle order following his recovery from an abdominal injury, while Matt Renshaw is likely to return to his customary opening position alongside Travis Head. Nic Maddinson has been released from the squad after a disappointing run of three failures in four innings.
The visitors will also have to contend with the psychological significance of returning to Newlands, where Australia suffered one of the most humiliating defeats in their history in 2011, being dismissed for 47 in their second innings against South Africa.
The venue also carries painful memories for Smith and Cummins, both members of the Australian team involved in the ball-tampering scandal during the 2018 tour of South Africa. Smith, then captain, bore the brunt of the fallout from the incident, which became known as Sandpapergate.
Although the scandal has so far attracted little attention during the current series, the decider could renew scrutiny of Australia’s past, particularly if Smith is fit to play. Teammate Travis Head, however, expressed confidence that the batter could handle the occasion.
Newlands presents another challenge, with Tuesday’s match set to be the first Test played there in October. Only three Tests have previously taken place at the ground in November, all against Australia. The tourists won the first two, in 1902 and 1921, before South Africa claimed an eight-wicket victory in 2011.
Bavuma acknowledged that the timing made conditions difficult to predict, despite the hosts’ experience of playing first-class cricket at the venue during this period.
Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey also expected a competitive surface, saying the first two Tests had provided balanced contests between bat and ball.
With the series evenly poised, South Africa’s pace attack and Australia’s unsettled batting line-up could prove decisive in determining which side finishes the tour on top.
Published in Dawn, October 27th, 2026
