8 years on from Sandpapergate, Australia chase redemption in South Africa Tests
Eight years after one of Australian cricket’s darkest episodes, the rivalry with South Africa returns to the Test arena, with the stakes higher than ever. Australia opened the three-Test series in Durban on Friday 9 October, their first Test tour of South Africa since the infamous Sandpapergate series of 2018.
But it’s not just about settling old accounts anymore. The series pits the top two teams in the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings and also features a repeat of last year’s WTC final where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets at Lord’s. A year later, the Australians have the opportunity to strike back on South African soil.
The 2018 tour cannot be ignored. Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft were suspended after Australia were caught using sandpaper to illegally alter the ball. The scandal led to bans, resignations and a lasting stain on Australian cricket.
Eight years later, only a handful of players remain from that era. Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Smith and Matthew Renshaw are members of the current Australian touring group who were also part of the 2018 party.
AUSTRALIA REDEMPTION EYES
Australia comes with plenty of evidence, but also with a strong statistical foundation. They are ranked 1st in the WTC 2025-27 rankings with eight wins from 10 Tests and a points percentage of 80. South Africa are second with three wins from four Tests and a 75% points percentage.
It’s more than WTC points for Australia though. They haven’t won a Test series in South Africa since 2014, making this three-match contest one of the biggest challenges of their current cycle. The Aussies also have an away series against India and England, so the next 12 months will be a defining period for an aging but still formidable side.
There are questions surrounding the batting, particularly Marnus Labuschagne, who has gone more than three years without a Test century. But some of those doubts were answered by a 111 against a Cricket South Africa Invitational XI in a warm-up game. Travis Head, Steve Smith and Cameron Green give Australia considerable firepower, while Nathan Lyon remains a key weapon.
Mitchell Starc, meanwhile, framed Australia’s huge year in almost sporting mythic terms: winning the upcoming away series in South Africa, India and England in defense of the ODI World Cup would be comparable to Rory McIlroy winning all four golf majors in one year.
“It’s somewhat unusual that you play three marquee series away from home in the space of 12 months,” Starc told Cricinfo.
“And there’s two where we haven’t won as an Australian team for a long time. Then you throw in the narrative that we’re obviously the older side and we’ve been together a long time and the pressure comes from both of those things.”
“But if we were to sit here in 12 or 14 months and win three outdoor Test series and a World Cup, it would be the equivalent, I think, of Rory McIlroy winning four majors in the same year.
THE CHAMPIONS ARE COMING HOME
For South Africa, this opportunity carries a different weight. It will be their first Test on home soil since winning the 2023-25 World Test Championship and beating Australia by five wickets at Lord’s in June 2025.
The Protes have barely made a mistake in the current WTC cycle. They won 2–0 in India in November 2025 – their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years – after also winning the series 2–0 over Australia in the 2025 WTC final. Their only defeat in the current cycle came in the series against Pakistan, which they drew.
Their return home is therefore also a chance to show that the Lord’s triumph was not a one-time event. Temba Bavuma’s party has developed a resilience built on collective contributions rather than reliance on one superstar.
However, South Africa enter the opener without their biggest weapon. Kagiso Rabada was ruled out of the first Test as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Rabada took nine wickets in the WTC 2025 final and his absence leaves a significant hole in the attack.
NORTJE IS BACK
That’s where Anrich Nortje comes in.
The express quick is all set to play his first Test since March 2023, when he last represented South Africa against the West Indies. Nortje has taken 70 wickets in 19 Tests and is capable of breaking the 145km/h mark regularly, offering the Proteas the kind of raw pace that can unsettle the Australian batsmen.
His return is particularly significant as South Africa have lost several fast bowlers to injuries. Nortje spent much of the intervening period playing limited-overs cricket, working his way back to the physical demands of red-ball cricket.
The hosts have also opted for two spinners in Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, giving them another dimension at Kingsmead. The South African XI has Nortje as the only fast specialist alongside the all-rounder Marc Jansen, while Harmer and Maharaj will play important roles throughout the Test.
And so the first Test brings several stories at once: Australia’s return to the Sandpapergate scene, South Africa’s first home Test since becoming world champions, a rematch of last year’s WTC final and Nortje’s long-awaited return to Test cricket.
The past may provide the background, but the present will decide who walks away with the first advantage. Competing between the world’s top two WTC sides, redemptions will need to be earned over five days, one session each.
DURBAN COURSE CONDITIONS
The Durban pitch is not expected to be an absolute turnaround, with the pacers likely to get a lot out of the surface. Of the 32 Tests focused on the venue, 19 were won by the teams batting first. In the last eight Tests in Durban, teams batting first have won by 200 runs on four occasions. So it’s clear that teams should look at the bat first.
WHEN TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST IN INDIA?
The first Test between South Africa and Australia will start at 1:00 PM IST.
WHEN TO WATCH SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA 1ST TEST IN INDIA?
Live streaming of the first test between South Africa and Australia will be available on Fancode.
SOUTH AFRICA VS AUSTRALIA HOME
Overall
Matches – 102 | South Africa – 27 | Australia – 54 | Draw – 21
In South Africa
Matches – 54 | South Africa – 16 | Australia – 29 | Draw – 9
EXPECTED XIS
South Africa: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (C), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, Anrich Nortje
Australia: Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Nic Maddinson, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (C), Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
– The end