Australia are considering a change at the top of their batting order for the decisive third Test against South Africa. Renshaw final Test recall is on the table, with Matthew Renshaw in contention to open alongside Travis Head after Nic Maddinson struggled in the first two matches of the series.
Maddinson managed only one score above ten in four innings after his recall to the Test squad. He has now been released from the squad, along with reserve wicketkeeper Sam Harper, ahead of the decider, which begins in Cape Town on Tuesday, October 27.
The potential change follows Australia’s batting problems in the second Test at Gqeberha, where South Africa hit back from defeat in the series opener to win by an innings and 31 runs. The series stands at 1-1, so the Cape Town Test, scheduled for October 27 to 31, will decide the series.
Renshaw final Test: why Australia may change the openers
Head has spoken openly about Australia’s struggles with the bat, which has raised the chance of a reshuffle as the visitors try to regain control of the series and strengthen their place in the 2025-27 World Test Championship.
Renshaw offers a different option at the top of the order. He has already played a major part in this series, scoring 190 in the first Test, which Australia won in Durban by 214 runs. South Africa then levelled the series in the second Test. A recall would therefore be a return to a combination that has worked in this series, rather than a gamble on an untried player.
Australia could also face a late fitness worry over Steve Smith, who reported neck stiffness during the team’s match-eve training session. Smith is expected to be available for the decider, but he is set to undergo a fitness test first.
Cameron Green and Josh Inglis are also available after recovering from their injuries, giving Australia more options as they finalise their playing eleven. Green has already been cleared to play as a batter only for the decider, after his abdominal injury, so the selectors have room to move in both the batting order and the balance of the side.
South Africa’s own change for Cape Town
South Africa have also made an adjustment to their squad, with fast bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out after a groin injury during the second Test. The hosts will still enter the decider with renewed confidence after their dominant display at Gqeberha, where they overturned the momentum of the series with a complete all-round performance.
Captain Pat Cummins will lead a 16-member Australian squad that includes Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Green, Josh Hazlewood, Head, Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Renshaw, Smith, Mitchell Starc and Beau Webster.
For Australia, the challenge in Cape Town will be to fix the batting inconsistency that cost them in Gqeberha, while managing fitness concerns ahead of a match that could prove significant in the wider World Test Championship campaign. The decision over the opening partnership will be among the key selection calls, as Australia try to stop South Africa from completing a comeback victory.
The selection news was reported by The Express Tribune.
Who could open for Australia in Cape Town?
Matthew Renshaw is in contention to open alongside Travis Head, after Nic Maddinson was released from the squad.
Why was Maddinson released?
Maddinson managed only one score above ten in four innings in the first two Tests of the series.
When and where is the decider?
The third Test starts on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, in Cape Town, and is scheduled to run to October 31.
What is the series score?
The series is level at 1-1 after Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa won the second Test by an innings and 31 runs.
