Australia will wait until the final moments before naming their XI for the third Test at Newlands, captain Pat Cummins said on Monday, as wicketkeeper-batter Steve Smith continues to be assessed after a neck injury suffered in Gqeberha.
Smith’s fitness to decide selection
Smith, who suffered a neck injury during South Africa’s innings in the second Test — a match the Proteas won by an innings and 31 runs to level the series 1-1 — has been given as much time as possible to show he is ready to play on Tuesday in Cape Town. Cummins said the management would delay the final confirmation while they waited for the "last piece of the puzzle" on the opener’s condition.
“Hopefully, it all goes well and he’ll be there,” Cummins said. “But we just want to wait for that last piece of the puzzle [before naming a team].”
Cummins underlined the veteran’s standing in the squad, noting Smith’s role within the group and his recent form off the field despite a lean run with the bat. The captain praised Smith’s attitude on tour, saying he had been "awesome" and appeared to be enjoying his cricket and life away from the middle.
Batting order and selection mechanics
With fitness a question around Smith, Cummins outlined the likely reshuffle if Smith is passed fit. Cameron Green is expected to be used "preferably in the middle order", a move that would push Matt Renshaw back to opening alongside Travis Head. Nic Maddinson was omitted from the squad after struggling to establish himself on the tour.
- Steve Smith — nursing a neck injury after Gqeberha, limited on-field runs this series (a little over 20 in four innings).
- Cameron Green — likely to be slotted into the middle order if fit.
- Matt Renshaw — expected to return as an opener with Travis Head.
Cummins also referenced Smith’s recent recovery from a blow to the head in the first Test and reiterated the perspective that even elite players experience periods when they are not at full fitness or form. "You don’t play 100 odd Tests without matches where you’re not 100% fit," he said.
Form, pressure and the wider batting discussion
The Test series has also shone a light on Marnus Labuschagne, whose role in absorbing pressure up front has been a selection talking point. According to the report, Labuschagne’s sequence without a century has now stretched to 47 innings, and he has frequently fallen in the 30–49 range, having recorded scores in that band in six of his past nine innings.
That pattern places added scrutiny on his capacity to convert starts into big scores — a theme that will be watched closely at Newlands, where pressure on touring sides is amplified by the Cape Town crowd and the pitch’s characteristics.
| Player | Noted issue / status |
|---|---|
| Steve Smith | Neck injury; averaged a little over 20 in four innings on tour; fitness check pending |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Extended run without a century (47 innings); repeated 30s–40s scores |
For South African followers, the final Test represents the chance to clinch a series win at Newlands. For Australia, the contest will be about balancing experienced personnel with physical readiness — and managing the emotional backdrop for Smith, who returns to Cape Town where his career endured one of its most difficult episodes in 2018.
Cummins’ comments suggested the touring side remains measured: give a senior player space to prove his fitness, reshuffle where necessary and trust the process that has carried them through a long Test career. Selection announcements will follow once the medical and coaching staff are satisfied that the players chosen can perform at full capacity.
