Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to field, pointing to the cloud cover and the possibility of seam movement. The visitors have made one change to their playing XI, bringing in Scott Boland for Nathan Lyon. Cummins believes Boland’s ability to exploit movement off the pitch and provide control makes him a suitable option for the conditions.
South Africa have made three changes, with Kagiso Rabada returning after recovering from a hamstring injury. Captain Temba Bavuma admitted the selection decision had required deliberation, adding that the team would need to be watchful during a potentially difficult morning session.
The South African XI also features Marques Ackerman and Matthew Breetzke, while the hosts will rely on Aiden Markram and Bavuma to provide stability at the top. Ryan Rickelton takes the wicketkeeping role, with Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder offering all-round options.
The opening Test in Durban exposed South Africa’s batting struggles, as Matt Renshaw scored 190 and 82 to lead Australia’s charge. Markram’s second-innings 75 was the only other score above 50 in the match. The Gqeberha surface is expected to offer opportunities for batters to build substantial innings, although it could play slightly slower.
Weather remains a major concern. Forecasts indicate a 55% chance of rain on Sunday, increasing to 80% on Monday, potentially affecting playing time and the balance between pace and spin.
The second Test is scheduled to run until October 22, with play beginning at 10am local time (8am GMT, 1.30pm IST). South Africa will seek to level the series, while Australia aim to strengthen their position.
