South Africa, led by Temba Bavuma, will face Australia, led by Pat Cummins, in the third and final Test of the series at Newlands in Cape Town from October 27 to 31. With the series tied at 1-1, both teams will aim to win the decider and claim the series.

Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, with Matt Renshaw scoring 190 and 82. South Africa bounced back in the second Test at Gqeberha, winning by an innings and 31 runs to level the series. Temba Bavuma recorded a career-best 179 to help the hosts secure the victory.

South Africa will look to carry that momentum into the decider, while Australia will aim to respond after their heavy defeat. The hosts have also suffered a setback, with fast bowler Anrich Nortje ruled out of the third Test due to a groin injury.

SA vs AUS Match Preview and Recent Form

South Africa will head into the SA vs AUS decider with confidence after their dominant win in Gqeberha. Captain Temba Bavuma has scored 183 runs in three innings at an average of 61. He helped the Proteas recover from a difficult start in the second Test and take control of the match.

Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer have also contributed with the bat, scoring 85 and 82, respectively. South Africa's bowling attack has also delivered when it mattered.

Jansen is their leading wicket-taker, with 10 wickets in four innings at an average of 18. Wiaan Mulder has claimed nine wickets at 18.88, while Kagiso Rabada took four wickets in the second innings of the Gqeberha Test.

Australia, meanwhile, will look to bounce back after their heavy defeat in the second Test. Although they dominated the series opener in Durban, their batting lineup collapsed for 99 in the first innings at Gqeberha. They were forced to follow on and could not avoid an innings defeat.

Matt Renshaw has scored 295 runs in four innings at an average of 73.75. Travis Head has also contributed 155 runs at an average of 38.75, including a match-saving 121 in the second innings of the second Test. However, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will need to make bigger contributions.

Josh Hazlewood is Australia's leading wicket-taker, with eight scalps at an average of 18.25, while Scott Boland claimed a five-wicket haul in the second Test. Australia will need their pace attack to maintain pressure throughout the SA vs AUS Test if they are to reclaim the series lead at Newlands.

SA vs AUS Live Streaming and Live Telecast: Where to Watch the 3rd Test?

Cricket fans in India can watch the third Test between South Africa and Australia live on Eurosport, with online streaming available on the FanCode app and website.

The match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM IST (10:30 AM local time) on October 27 at Newlands in Cape Town. The toss will take place 30 minutes before the start of play.

SA vs AUS Pitch Report: How Will Newlands Play?

The Newlands pitch in Cape Town generally favours fast bowlers, particularly early in a Test match. The surface offers good bounce, carry and movement with the new ball. Overcast conditions, if present, could provide further assistance to the bowlers.

As the pitch settles, batters who get their eye in can score more freely. Surface wear could bring spinners into play, although pace bowling has accounted for most wickets at the venue in recent years.

Newlands, Cape Town: Test Stats

• Total matches: 62

• Matches won batting first: 24

• Matches won bowling first: 26

• Average first-innings score: 325

• Average second-innings score: 288

• Average third-innings score: 237

• Average fourth-innings score: 158

• Highest total: 651/10 (154.3 overs) — South Africa vs Australia

• Lowest total: 35/10 (22.4 overs) — South Africa vs England

• Highest successful chase: 334/6 (79.1 overs) — Australia vs South Africa

• Lowest total defended: 135/10 (42.4 overs) — India vs South Africa

• Highest individual score in an innings: 262 — Stephen Fleming (New Zealand vs South Africa, 2006)

• Most runs in a match: 312 — Jacques Kallis (South Africa vs West Indies, 2004; 177 and 135)

• Best bowling figures in an innings: 8/11 — Johnny Briggs (England vs South Africa, 1889)

• Best bowling figures in a match: 12/89 — Johnny Wardle (England vs South Africa, 1957)

SA vs AUS Weather Forecast and Rain Threat at Newlands

Newlands in Cape Town is forecast to experience mostly dry conditions during the five-day Test from October 27 to 31. According to AccuWeather, daytime temperatures are expected to range from 24°C to 29°C.

Rain is unlikely to cause major interruptions, with a low chance of precipitation forecast for most match days. However, AccuWeather indicates the possibility of a late shower on Friday. Conditions are expected to remain mostly clear or partly cloudy.

SA vs AUS Team News and Squad Updates

South Africa will be without fast bowler Anrich Nortje for the series-deciding third Test. Nortje suffered a mild groin injury while bowling in the first innings of the second Test in Gqeberha. Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson are the leading options to replace Nortje in the playing XI.

Australia are also considering changes after their heavy defeat in the second Test. Matt Renshaw is tipped to move up the order and open alongside Travis Head, while Nic Maddinson could miss out after two failures in Gqeberha.

Marnus Labuschagne is likely to retain his No. 3 position, with Cameron Green expected to return to the middle order. Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly are among the options to replace Beau Webster. Nathan Lyon is also pushing for a recall, with the dry Newlands pitch potentially favouring spin.

SA vs AUS Predicted Playing 11 Today

South Africa Predicted Playing XI:

Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, Temba Bavuma (c), David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer

Australia Predicted Playing XI:

Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon

SA vs AUS Key Player Battles to Watch

Aiden Markram vs Mitchell Starc:

Aiden Markram will look to give South Africa a solid start. In Test cricket, Mitchell Starc has dismissed the South African opener four times in 253 deliveries. Markram has scored 155 runs off those balls.

Temba Bavuma vs Pat Cummins:

Temba Bavuma scored his career-best 179 in the second Test. However, Australia captain Pat Cummins has dismissed him three times in 260 deliveries in Test cricket. Bavuma has scored 116 runs against Cummins.

Travis Head vs Kagiso Rabada:

Travis Head's aggressive approach could pose a challenge for Kagiso Rabada, who will look to strike early. Head has scored 96 runs off 93 balls against Rabada at a strike rate of 103.2, including 15 boundaries.

SA vs AUS Key Players to Watch

• South Africa: Temba Bavuma, Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada

• Australia: Matt Renshaw, Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head