Marnus Labuschagne Retains Spot in Australia’s Test Squad for South Africa

Marnus Labuschagne has survived the chop.

Under pressure after a long lean stretch with the bat, the 32-year-old has been backed for Australia’s Test tour of South Africa, named on Monday in a 16-man squad for the three-match series starting in Durban on October 9.

Labuschagne given one more hand

The numbers have been stacking up against him. No Test hundred since the 2023 Ashes. Scores of 1, 31 and 4 in the recent series against Bangladesh. Averages trending the wrong way: 34.91 in 2023, 30.93 in 2024, 20.84 in 2025, and 24.20 so far this year.

Yet he’s still there.

Selectors have resisted the urge to make a statement call on one of their established top-order players, keeping Labuschagne in the frame to hold his place in the XI for Australia’s first Test tour of South Africa since the explosive Sandpapergate series in 2018.

He has, however, been overlooked for the white-ball leg of the tour, a clear sign his Test credentials are being judged in isolation.

Connolly rewarded as spin stocks deepen

Alongside Labuschagne, all-rounder Cooper Connolly has earned another crack at overseas Test cricket. The West Australian, who averages 42 with the bat in first-class cricket from 13 matches, returns to the Test squad after debuting in Galle against Sri Lanka last year.

His inclusion strengthens both the middle order and the spin department. Australia will travel with three slow-bowling options: Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann and Connolly, a blend of experience, control and youthful versatility for conditions that can vary sharply across a South African tour.

Fast bowlers loaded, Weatherald overlooked

The quicks are stacked with familiar faces. Captain Pat Cummins leads a pace unit featuring Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser, giving Australia a full arsenal of seam options for a “reasonably condensed” three-Test block, as chair of selectors George Bailey put it.

Jake Weatherald is the notable absentee at the top of the order. Dropped for Matt Renshaw after Australia’s defeat to Bangladesh in Darwin, the opener has again missed out, with Renshaw retaining his place as a top-order option.

Behind the stumps, Alex Carey remains first-choice wicketkeeper, with Josh Inglis travelling as his deputy. All-rounders Cameron Green and Beau Webster add further depth and flexibility to both the batting and bowling stocks.

Bailey underlined the demands of the schedule in explaining the extended group, pointing to six one-day internationals preceding the Tests and only short breaks between matches. The message is clear: Australia wants cover for every scenario, and competition for spots will be fierce.

Australia’s Test squad for South Africa tour

• Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
• Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
• Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
• Cooper Connolly (WA/Scarborough Cricket Club)
• Cameron Green (WA/Subiaco-Floreat Cricket Club)
• Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)
• Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club)
• Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
• Matthew Kuhnemann (TAS/Clarence Cricket Club)
• Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
• Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
• Michael Neser (QLD/Gold Coast Cricket Club)
• Matthew Renshaw (QLD/Toombul Cricket Club)
• Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club)
• Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
• Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)

Australia returns to the scene of one of its darkest cricketing chapters with a seasoned core, fresh all-round talent and one high-profile batter on notice. For Labuschagne in particular, South Africa now looms as something more than just another tour: it’s a chance to prove he still belongs at the heart of this Test side.