Watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams
South Africa welcome Australia for a three-match Test series. This is the first time since the infamous 2018 Sandpapergate incident that these teams are playing in South Africa. The series kicks off at Kingsmead in Durban, with the Proteas arriving on a high after winning the ODI series 2-1.
They’ll now look to carry their form into the longest format, where they’re the defending World Test Championship winners. They’ve also not lost any of their last seven Test series, the latest being a famous 2-0 victory over India in India. However, they face an uphill battle in the 1st Test, with Australia needing just six wickets to seal victory on Day 5.
Follow our guide below for where to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams online and on TV wherever you are.
- South Africa vs Australia 1st Test: October 9-13
- FREE: SABC 3 (South Africa)
- US: Willow TV
- UK: Sky Sports
- Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
Can I watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test for free?
Yes, in South Africa the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test will be shown for free on SABC 3.
The 5th day is live right now on SABC+.
You'll need a VPN to prevent you from getting geoblocked if you're abroad right now. We recommend NordVPN.
How to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams using a VPN
You won't be able to watch your regular South Africa vs Australia Test live streams while traveling abroad. The streaming service will spot that you're in a foreign country and block you.
You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to get around this, though. It's a straightforward piece of software that sets your device to appear as if it's in a different country, allowing you to watch any South Africa vs Australia Test series live stream from anywhere in the world.
We rate NordVPN as one of the best VPN for streaming sport. It offers a generous 30-day guarantee for all your money back if you're not happy with the service.
How to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams in the US
In the US, dedicated cricket streaming service Willow TV is the place to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test.
If you don't have it as part of your cable package, you can watch Willow's coverage through your choice of Sling TV's Desi Binge Plus or Dakshin Flex plans – starting from $10 per month.
Not in the US right now? Use NordVPN to watch your regular cricket stream.
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How to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams in the UK
The South Africa vs Australia 1st Test is being shown on Sky Sports with full coverage on the Cricket channel.
Sky Sports subscriptions start at £35/month, or £24/month for existing Sky customers. If you prefer a NOW Sports subscription, plans are available from £14.99/day or £27.99/month.
Looking to invest in Sky Sports? Check out our dedicated guide to all things Sky.
Outside the UK right now? Use NordVPN to access your preferred coverage of the cricket.
How to watch South Africa vs Australia 1st Test live streams in India
In India, the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test is available to watch on the FanCode app and website.
Monthly prices start from just ₹199, but you can also get a standalone pass (₹39) for a match pass for the 1st Test.
If you're currently out of India but want to watch a South Africa vs Australia live stream, you'll need to get yourself a VPN, as per the instructions above.
How to watch South Africa vs Australia live streams in Australia
In Australia, the South Africa vs Australia 1st Test is available to watch on Fox Cricket via Foxtel, with live streaming available via Kayo Sports.
Kayo Sports starts at AU$30 per month after a 7-day free trial. Or you can get your first month for AU$1.
Outside Australia right now? Use NordVPN to access your preferred South Africa vs Australia Test series coverage.
How to watch South Africa vs Australia live streams in South Africa
The South Africa vs Australia 1st Test is being shown on Supersport and SABC 3 in South Africa.
You'll need to get a DStv access package to watch Supersport of the three-match series, with prices starting at Rs399/month for the streaming version.
Outside South Africa right now? You'll need to get a VPN to access your usual South Africa vs Australia Test series coverage from back home.
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test: Day 5 Preview
It was Matt Renshaw who completely changed the game in Australia's favour. After being reduced to 124-6 in the first innings, Renshaw built an 86-run stand with captain Pat Cummins before working beautifully with the tail to push Australia to 390 with a career-best 190.
As for the Proteas, their decision to play two spinners backfired, with the hosts often looking a seamer short. Marco Jansen, Wiaan Mulder and Anrich Nortje had to shoulder much of the workload, taking three, four and two wickets respectively, while Simon Harmer claimed the final wicket of Renshaw. Both Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi are missing from the attack through injury.
With the bat, South Africa fell 106 runs short of Australia's total, finishing all out for 284. There were several promising partnerships, including Aiden Markram and David Bedingham's 84-run stand for the second wicket, followed by a 56-run partnership between Mulder and Tristan Stubbs. However, wickets kept falling, with Bedingham's 49 the highest individual score.
Australia's bowling attack worked together, with Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon picking up two wickets apiece, while Pat Cummins claimed three. Steve Smith also produced a stunning display in the slips, taking four catches, including two outstanding efforts, and moving past Joe Root for the most Test catches by a non-wicketkeeper.
Australia’s mantra heading into the second innings was to score quick runs, and that’s exactly what they did, piling up 314 in just 58 overs before declaring and setting South Africa a daunting target of 421 with four sessions to spare. Nic Maddinson provided an early burst with 48 off 38 balls, while Matt Renshaw followed with another superb knock of 82. Pat Cummins then provided the fireworks at the end, smashing an unbeaten 32 off just 12 deliveries, including four sixes.
South Africa ended the day at 102-4, with Aiden Markram unbeaten on 45. The opener will be hoping to produce a marathon knock similar to his match-winning 136 in the 2025 WTC final against Australia, but he’ll need plenty of support. Wiaan Mulder is at the crease alongside him, with Kyle Verreynne and Marco Jansen among the prominent batters still to come. Australia have the upper hand heading into Day 5.
The last time these two teams met was in the 2025 World Test Championship final, where South Africa beat Australia by five wickets at Lord's. Their previous Test series was in Australia, where the hosts handed the visitors a 2-0 defeat in a three-match series. Now, the two sides meet again with valuable World Test Championship points on the line, with Australia currently top of the standings and South Africa second.
South Africa vs Australia 1st Test squads
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Tony de Zorzi, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
What time does the 1st South Africa vs Australia Test start?
The first Test between South Africa and Australia at Durban, Kingsmead starts at 8:30am BST / 3:30am ET / 5:30pm AEST every day from Friday, October 9 to Tuesday, October 13.
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