Australia left Nathan Lyon out of their XI for the second Test against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha on 18 October 2026, picking Scott Boland in an all-pace attack. Cricket Australia said it is the first time in 13 years that a fully fit Lyon has been dropped for a day Test, with the last such occasion the 2013 Ashes.
What Was Announced
Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl first after rain cleared. Lyon has twice been left out of pink-ball Tests in recent times, in Jamaica and at the Gabba, and Cricket Australia noted Boland's Test record of 82 wickets at 18.58. Australia made no other change after winning the first Test in Durban by 214 runs.
South Africa also left out their frontline spinner, dropping Keshav Maharaj but keeping Simon Harmer, with Kagiso Rabada back for his first match since May. Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne were dropped, and Marques Ackerman was named to make his Test debut as an opener. Ryan Rickelton took the gloves and moved to No.6, with Matthew Breetzke coming into the middle order.
Australia XI:
- Travis Head
- Nic Maddinson
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Steve Smith
- Matthew Renshaw
- Alex Carey (wicketkeeper)
- Beau Webster
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Mitch Starc
- Scott Boland
- Josh Hazlewood
South Africa XI:
- Aiden Markram
- Marques Ackerman
- David Bedingham
- Temba Bavuma (captain)
- Matthew Breetzke
- Ryan Rickelton (wicketkeeper)
- Wiaan Mulder
- Marco Jansen
- Simon Harmer
- Kagiso Rabada
- Anrich Nortje
What It Means
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0. The second Test runs from 18 to 22 October in Gqeberha, and the third Test is scheduled for 27 to 31 October at Newlands in Cape Town. Before play, Steve Smith told the host broadcaster the surface looked greener than it had a couple of days earlier and could be tricky early for the batters.
Source: Cricket Australia report.