South Africa–Australia Third Test: Start Time, Venue and Team News

Updated October 26, 2026. South Africa and Australia are set to play the third and final men’s Test of their series at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town from Tuesday, October 27, through Saturday, October 31. Cricket South Africa’s current fixture schedule lists a 10:30 a.m. start in Cape Town, South African Standard Time (SAST, UTC+02:00). That is 08:30 UTC on October 27, the start time also shown by SuperSport and Cricket Australia’s match guide. Cricket Australia identifies the fixture as match centre CA:39992. The published five-day window is the scheduled span; the Test may finish earlier if a result is reached, and interruptions can affect play.

Match details

Why the Cape Town Test matters

The series is level after two very different results. Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. South Africa answered in the second Test at Gqeberha, winning by an innings and 31 runs. With one win apiece, the Newlands match decides which side takes the series; a draw would leave the series tied. The official Cricket Australia match centre and its series page list the third Test as upcoming, so no match result should be assumed before play is completed.

The fixture is also part of the 2025–27 ICC World Test Championship. South Africa entered the cycle as defending champion after beating Australia in the 2025 final, and the two teams began this series among the leading sides in Test cricket. In an ICC report published October 26, Australia was described as sitting atop the current World Test Championship standings and holding the No. 1 Test ranking before the Cape Town decider. The ICC said a defeat could cost Australia both positions. That context adds to the stakes, but the result in this Test will be decided on the field, not by the standings entering the match.

Venue, dates and start time

Newlands is the Cape Town venue for all five scheduled days. On Tuesday, October 27, the listed start is 10:30 a.m. in Cape Town, SAST (UTC+02:00). South Africa does not change clocks for daylight saving time, so the stated offset applies on the match date. The corresponding time is 08:30 UTC. These labels refer to the start of play on the first day; readers should check the live match centre for daily session times, any weather-related interruption, or an official schedule change.

A five-day Test schedule does not guarantee five full days of play. A match can finish before Saturday if one team secures a result, while weather, light, or other interruptions can reduce scheduled playing time. The CSA fixture page and SuperSport schedule currently agree on the date, venue, and 10:30 a.m. Cape Town start; Cricket Australia’s third-Test guide reports the same local start and lists 08:30 UTC on SuperSport. If a later notice changes the programme, follow the live fixture listing rather than an older preview.

Squads and the latest selection news

Squad lists help explain the available options, but they are not the same as the final playing XIs. Cricket Australia’s current third-Test coverage lists the following Test squads:

Cricket Australia’s match-eve reporting on October 26 says Australia will make at least one change to its XI after Nic Maddinson and reserve wicketkeeper Sam Harper were released from the Test squad. Matthew Renshaw is described as a strong chance to open. Steve Smith was due to undergo a fitness test at Australia’s match-eve training session after neck stiffness; Cricket Australia reported that he was trending toward selection, but that report is not confirmation that he will play. Cameron Green and Josh Inglis were returning from injury and available for selection, according to the same coverage.

The toss and official playing XIs had not been confirmed in the sources checked for this update. The two squad lists and the reported selection prospects above should not be presented as final teams. Check the CA:39992 match centre close to the start for the toss and named XIs. The same scorecard is the place to confirm the official result once the match is over.

How to follow and watch

For live scores, the scorecard, match information, and updates as they are posted, use Cricket Australia’s CA:39992 match centre. The official series listing shows the third Test as upcoming at Newlands and displays Kayo and Foxtel as viewing options. Cricket Australia’s current guide also names Kayo and Fox Cricket for Australian coverage. Check the provider’s own schedule for the exact channel or stream listing and availability.

Broadcast rights differ by country. The options above are the Australian services listed by Cricket Australia; viewers elsewhere should check their local rights holder. For the South African schedule, Cricket South Africa’s upcoming fixtures lists the Newlands match at 10:30 a.m., while SuperSport’s tour schedule shows the third Test at 08:30 UTC. Cricket Australia’s latest selection report carries the match-eve news on Australia’s squad and likely changes.

What to check before play

• Confirm the date: the Test is scheduled for October 27–31, 2026, at Newlands in Cape Town.
• Use the correct time zone: first ball is listed for 10:30 a.m. SAST (UTC+02:00) on October 27, which is 08:30 UTC.
• Check the toss and XIs: the squads are published, but the final teams were not confirmed as of this update.
• Follow the live scorecard: use Cricket Australia fixture CA:39992 for match updates and the official result.
• Verify viewing access: Cricket Australia lists Kayo and Foxtel, with Fox Cricket named in its guide, for Australian coverage.

Official sources

See the Cricket Australia match centre for the fixture and live scorecard; Cricket Australia’s series page for the schedule and viewing platforms; Cricket South Africa’s current fixtures for its local listing; and SuperSport’s schedule for the UTC start. The ICC’s October 26 report explains the World Test Championship and ranking context.

The confirmed planning details are the Newlands venue, the October 27–31 schedule, and a first ball at 10:30 a.m. Cape Town time (SAST, UTC+02:00), or 08:30 UTC, on Tuesday, October 27. The series is tied 1–1. The toss, playing XIs, and eventual result remain match-day updates and should be added only after an official confirmation.