Published on: Oct 26, 2026 1:13 pm IST | Updated on: Oct 26, 2026 1:16 pm IST
You don’t mess with Temba Bavuma; that was the message sent by the Proteas skipper to the Aussie skipper, Pat Cummins, whose team got pummelled in the second Test of the series at St George’s Park in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs. With a majority of time lost due to persistent rain in the first two days of the Test match, the hosts effectively humiliated the arrogant Aussies in three days to avenge their loss in the opening Test by 214 runs. With the series nicely poised at 1-1, it’s time for the decider to take center stage, set to take place at one of the country’s capitals, i.e., in Cape Town. In this post, we have compiled free expert tips for the 3rd Test, SA vs AUS, at Newlands, Cape Town.
South Africa rose from the ashes with a dominant win by an innings and 31 runs. After suffering a heavy defeat in the opening Test match, the way Temba Bavuma led the way with the bat in the first innings and then led his troops in the bowling innings was nothing short of majestic. With confidence soaring after the last win, the hosts will once again start as the favorites, with Australia having nowhere to hide their discrepancies. Expect the win probability meter to lean in favor of the hosts. Let’s continue with the post and find out the best cricket tips for the 3rd Test, SA vs AUS, at Newlands, Cape Town.
SA: 62% win chance AUS: 38% win chance
Temba is fresh off an inspirational career-best 179 in the last game at Gqeberha. The Proteas skipper will be looking to ontinue his rich vein of form in this match.
The Proteas vice-captain will be opening the innings. He has scored 133 runs across three innings in this series, with 75 being his best. Expect the right-hander to have a lasting impact in this match.
Matt has been the leading run-getter in the series so far with 190 being his best score. Averaging 74, the left-hander will be looking to add more runs to his tally in Newlands.
Fresh off a ton in the last game, Travis will be assigned to score at the top and provide Australia with some sort of stability at the top and score runs.
Check out our prediction for the SA vs AUS 3rd Test match at Newlands, Cape Town.
South Africa delivered a statement win at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, dismantling Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test of the series. Persistent rain robbed the contest of nearly two full days, yet the Proteas needed only three days of play to humiliate their opponents and avenge the heavy 214‑run defeat suffered in the opening Test.
Skipper Temba Bavuma set the tone with his authoritative batting, scoring 179 in the first innings, and complemented it with astute leadership, sending a clear message to counterpart Pat Cummins that the Proteas would not be bullied. The hosts combined disciplined bowling with aggressive batting to expose Australia’s vulnerabilities, turning the match into a one‑sided affair. The innings victory was not just about leveling the series; it was about reclaiming pride and momentum emphatically.
With confidence soaring, South Africa now heads into the next clash with the belief that they can dictate terms. For Australia, the defeat was a sobering reminder that arrogance alone cannot withstand the firepower of a determined Proteas outfit.
Australia’s woes in the ongoing Test series have been compounded by the poor form of their captain, Pat Cummins. Across two matches, Cummins has managed to scalp only four wickets, a return far below expectations for a frontline pacer. His leadership, already under scrutiny, has looked uninspired, and his bowling has been nothing short of ineffective.
The situation is reminiscent of Marnus Labuschagne’s struggles, with the batter failing to score a century in international cricket for over three years. Australia’s batting unit has been equally disappointing; apart from centuries by Matt Renshaw and Travis Head in separate games, the rest of the lineup has failed to step up. The top order has crumbled, while the middle order has been outright miserable.
With the ball, Cummins’ lack of penetration has raised serious questions about his place in the XI. Particularly damning is the performance of Scott Boland, who picked up a five‑wicket haul in the last game, further highlighting Cummins’ decline. For Australia, the pressure is mounting, and their skipper’s form remains a glaring concern. Let’s move ahead and check the cricket tips.
Matches Played: 104 AUS won: 55 SA won: 28 Draw: 21 RECENT form AUSTRALIA: W L W W L RECENT form SOUTH AFRICA: W W W L W
A win in the last Test match was South Africa’s 28th win over the Aussies in the format. In 104 Test matches played between the two sides, Australia still leads the way with 55 wins, whereas 21 matches have ended in a draw.
How will the two teams, i.e., South Africa and Australia, fare in the 3rd Test? Let’s take a look.
Travis Head, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (WK), Beau Webster/Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (C), Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Josh Hazlewood/Nathan Lyon
Here’s the pitch and weather report for the 3rd Test between Australia and South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town:
At Newlands, the toss carries weight. Captains will likely opt to bat first, as the surface offers seam movement early but deteriorates steadily, bringing spinners into play from Day 3. A first‑innings total of 300–320 sets the tone, making the toss a pivotal factor in shaping this decisive Test.
The online live streaming of the 3rd 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 should enter this contest as the favorite. They are fresh off a massive win in the last Test match and will be looking to seal the deal in Cape Town. Australia’s struggle in batting has been a major concern, and they will have an uphill task to get the better of the Proteas in South Africa. Therefore, as per our prediction, the hosts, South Africa, are expected to win the SA vs AUS 3rd Test match.
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