South Africa is hosting Australia in Durban today for the first Test of their highly anticipated series. This encounter pits the top two teams in the current World Test Championship standings against each other, a rematch of the final from the last cycle where the Proteas defeated Australia at Lord's.
The series marks Australia's first Test return to South Africa since the Proteas secured a 3-1 series victory eight years ago. Australian captain Pat Cummins, along with Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, are all back for the tourists.
For South Africa, skipper Temba Bavuma, Aiden Markram, and Keshav Maharaj are returning players who also participated in the Cape Town clash eight years prior. The Proteas enter this series following a 2-0 win in Zimbabwe, a 1-1 draw in Pakistan, and a two-Test series sweep in India last year.
The first ball is scheduled to be bowled at 9:30am local time in Durban.