Published on: Oct 17, 2026 10:21 am IST | Updated on: Oct 16, 2026 11:53 am IST
South Africa were left shell-shocked in the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead, Durban, as the visitors secured a dominant 214-run victory to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. All credit should go to Matt Renshaw, who scored a fighting 190 in the first innings to deny Australia yet another collapse, as at one stage they were staring down for a total less than 200, but Renshaw’s match-defining knock meant Australia scored a formidable 390 and were in the driver’s seat. The Proteas should come up with a better plan to give Australia a run for their money in the second Test match and draw series parity before heading into the final Test at Cape Town. In this post, we have compiled free expert tips for the 2nd Test, SA vs AUS, at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha.
South Africa should start as the favorites in this game only if they make some changes to their bowling lineup. The bowling lineup in the last Test match was below par, and they need to bring out their best to get the better of Australia. As for the Aussies, their bowling did a good job, with Hazlewood picking up a 6-fer; however, besides Matt Renshaw, the other batters also need to contribute. The Proteas will look to bounce back, making the win probability meter slightly lean in their favor in this Test match. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 2nd Test, SA vs AUS, at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha.
SA: 52% win chance AUS: 48% win chance
Aiden was the only Proteas batter who looked in command in the opening Test match at Durban. He has been in great form in recent times having scored 604 runs in his last 8 Test matches. Expect Markram to play a key role.
Matthew has been included in the squad for the 2nd Test and could be in line to get a game. He was terrific in the ODI series played before the Test series against Australia where he scored a ton in the opening game. Expect Matthew to show his class on his home turf in the second Test.
Matt Renshaw was undoubtedly the showstopper in the last game. His grueling 190 in the first innings set the tone for the Aussies and helped them score close to 400. He backed up his ton in the first innings with a composed 82 in the second innings. He is the man in form and will be a crucial bet in this game.
The former Aussie skipper and their best batter in the format couldn't score a fifty in the last game but remains a crucial cog, He has amassed 622 runs in his last 9 outings at an average of 44.43.
Check out our prediction for the SA vs AUS 2nd Test match at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha.
South Africa were left shell-shocked in the first Test against Australia at Kingsmead, Durban, as the visitors secured a dominant 214-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The defeat ended skipper Temba Bavuma’s long unbeaten run in Test cricket, exposing noticeable flaws in the Proteas’ top-order resilience.
Heading into the second Test at Gqeberha, South Africa are relying heavily on the return of lead fast bowler Kagiso Rabada. Having missed the opener due to a precautionary delay following a hamstring strain, Rabada’s aggressive pace and relentless movement are expected to completely transform South Africa’s bowling attack. On a St. George’s Park surface known for seam and reverse swing, his presence offers the exact lethal firepower needed to unsettle Australia’s top order.
Complementing this bowling boost is a revamped batting setup. The inclusion of local favorite Matthew Breetzke, replacing Tristan Stubbs, promises greater stability and familiar tactical awareness in the middle order. With hostile conditions favoring the hosts, Rabada’s return and Breetzke’s introduction give South Africa the exact balance required to fight back.
Despite securing a dominant 214-run victory in the series opener against South Africa, Australia’s top-order batting remains a major area of concern. The visitors owe immense gratitude to Matt Renshaw, whose monumental 190 in the first innings single-handedly saved Australia from a catastrophic collapse. Reduced to 124/6, Australia were staring down a sub-200 total before Renshaw’s marathon knock anchored crucial lower-order stands, eventually propelling them to a formidable 390.
While Renshaw’s masterclass put Australia in the driver’s seat, it masked deeper vulnerabilities in the top order. Senior stalwarts Travis Head and Steve Smith failed to build substantial scores, while Marnus Labuschagne’s prolonged slump continues to worry the team management. Relying on lower-order heroics and solo centuries is an unsustainable strategy against a world-class bowling attack, especially with South Africa set to welcome back Kagiso Rabada for the second Test in Gqeberha.
If Australia intend to maintain their dominance, their seasoned top-order stars must step up, convert their starts, and provide solid foundations. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 103 AUS won: 55 SA won: 27 Draw: 21 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: L W L W W RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: L W W W L
A total of 103 Test matches have been played between Australia and South Africa. The Aussies have won 55 matches, whereas South Africa have won 27 matches. 21 fixtures ended as a draw.
How will the two teams, i.e., South Africa and Australia, fare in the 2nd Test? Let’s take a look.
Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 2nd Test between Australia and South Africa at St. George’s Park, Gqeberha:
At St George’s Park, the toss holds weight. Captains may prefer batting first to capitalize on the fresh surface before it slows down. A first‑innings score of 300–320 will be competitive, with spinners expected to dominate later. Batting last on this track is tricky, making the toss advantage significant.
The online live streaming of the 2nd Test match of the Australia Tour of South Africa 2026 will take place live on the FANCODE app. The live TV coverage for this series will be available on the Eurosport channel.
South Africa must be gutted after losing the opening Test match at Kingsmead in Durban. The hosts would be hoping for a turnaround and bounce back to remain relevant in the series. As far as the Aussies are concerned, they must be on cloud nine after securing a win in the opening Test match. South Africa will do anything and everything to turn the tide and draw level in the three-match series. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, South Africa, are expected to win the SA vs AUS 2nd Test match.
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