Cricket

We still have to bowl: Proteas pitch warning to Aussies

By Scott Bailey

Oct 20, 2026

Scott Boland/Temba Bavuma — Australia's bowlers, including Scott Boland, have ruled but South Africa are awaiting their turn. -AP

South Africa have warned Australia that they may have to bat on even trickier St George's Park wicket, with the prospect of large divots playing a role late in the Test.

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Already down 1-0 in the three-Test series, the Proteas went to stumps on day two in Gqeberha at 5-97 after a rain-affected start to the match.

But the Proteas are adamant Australia are not the only team who can win this match despite their tough start, claiming divots are already forming on the pitch due to the moisture and rain.

"We still have to bowl as well. The ball is moving around," Proteas batting coach Ashwell Prince said.

"The ball will move around as the Test match goes on. There are already some divots out there.

"When the sun comes out and those divots firm up it could create a bigger challenge later on.

"That kind of situation has happened here before, and obviously from our point of view we are hoping it will be the case with them having to bat last."

The former Proteas captain suggested the prospect of it being hard batting last had been a considered by South Africa before the toss, before they went sent in anyway.

They also have the advantage of Kagiso Rabada being back from a hamstring tear.

St George's Park is generally regarded as slow, spinning wicket, but Prince noted there was a lot more grass left on than usual to go with the early-season scheduling.

That has played into the quick's hands, with Scott Boland's ability to skid the ball on for Australia netting him 4-31 over a wet opening two days.

But much like in Durban last week, some of the Proteas' woes have been their own doing.

Marques Ackerman fought hard through 38 balls on his debut, but needlessly drove at a Boland delivery on six and was caught behind on Monday.

Matthew Breetzke's shot to get out was particularly poor, playing away from his body off the back foot to Mitchell Starc and eding through to Alex Carey.

Captain Temba Bavuma has led the main resistance with an unbeaten 41, with he and Ryan Rickelton taking South Africa from 4-40 before the latter was out late on Monday.

"Leaving the ball is important and Temba has done that really well," Prince said.

"A big part and positive in Temba's play today is decision making today. There tends to be a lot of discussion about technique and technical things.

"But I think decision making so far from his has been exceptional."

Prince's comments come after South Africa coach Shukri Conrad admitted he was "pulling the very last strands out of his hair" with some of his batters' decision making in Durban last week.

Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne ultimately both paid the price for questionable decisions, with the Proteas bringing Ackerman and Breetzke in for the pair.