Steve Smith ruled out until Australia’s home Test series against New Zealand
Australia have confirmed that Steve Smith will miss the remainder of the Test series against South Africa after scans revealed a cervical facet joint injury, with the batter expected to return for the home series against New Zealand in December.
2026-10-29
Steve Smith will not be considered for international selection until Australia’s home Test series against New Zealand in December after scans confirmed a cervical facet joint injury, Cricket Australia has announced.
Smith developed neck pain on the fourth day of Australia’s second ICC World Test Championship match against South Africa in Gqeberha last week. Although he travelled with the squad, limited movement and the injury forced him to withdraw from the series decider in Cape Town, which began on Tuesday.
Cricket Australia said Smith would continue treatment and rehabilitation, with a full return to availability anticipated for the New Zealand series. His absence ends his involvement in a contest that was level at 1-1 after Australia won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs and South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha.
In Cape Town, recalled batter Josh Inglis stepped into the vacant position and made an immediate contribution. Inglis was unbeaten on 85 at the close of the second day, while Alex Carey was 51 not out as Australia reached 330 for four in reply to South Africa’s 329. The visitors therefore held a one-run first-innings lead.
Inglis and Carey added an unbroken 145 in the final session after South Africa had threatened to regain control. Earlier, Matthew Renshaw and Cameron Green had rebuilt Australia’s innings with a 126-run third-wicket stand after Simon Harmer dismissed Travis Head for 41 and Marnus Labuschagne for a five-ball duck.
Renshaw, restored to the top of the order after batting in the middle order during the first two Tests, made 74 before Marco Jansen removed him shortly before tea. Jansen then claimed Green for 65, reaching 100 Test wickets with Renshaw’s dismissal and striking again soon afterwards.
The match is the third and final Test of the series, scheduled for 27-31 October in Cape Town. Australia’s reshaped batting line-up has so far responded well to Smith’s late withdrawal, with Renshaw providing stability in his return as an opener and Inglis taking advantage of his first Test appearance since the Ashes fixture against England in Adelaide at the end of last year.