Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth are the on-field umpires for the South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, which starts on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Richard Kettleborough is the third umpire, and former India fast bowler Javagal Srinath is the match referee. Play begins at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST). The toss result and decision are yet to be confirmed.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 214-run win in Durban. This is Australia’s first Test series in South Africa since the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal, and a win in Gqeberha would give them the series with one match to play.
RSA vs AUS 2nd Test: Match Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test |
| Series | Australia tour of South Africa, 2026 |
| Dates | October 18 to 22, 2026 |
| Start time | 9:30 AM local / 7:30 AM GMT / 1:00 PM IST |
| Venue | St George’s Park, Gqeberha |
| Toss | To be confirmed |
| South Africa captain | Temba Bavuma |
| Australia captain | Pat Cummins |
| Series status | Australia lead 1-0 |
RSA vs AUS 2nd Test: List of Umpires and Match Referee
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| On-field umpire | Chris Gaffaney |
| On-field umpire | Richard Kettleborough |
| Third umpire | Richard Illingworth |
| Match referee | Javagal Srinath |
Chris Gaffaney
A former first-class cricketer from New Zealand, Gaffaney is a member of the ICC Elite Panel of Umpires and has stood in Tests, ODIs and T20Is around the world, including ICC events.
Richard Kettleborough
England’s Richard Kettleborough is one of the most experienced umpires in world cricket. A member of the ICC Elite Panel, he has won the ICC Umpire of the Year award three times and has stood in more than one Cricket World Cup final.
Richard Illingworth
The former England spinner is also on the ICC Elite Panel and has won the ICC Umpire of the Year award more than once. He will handle DRS reviews, run-outs and stumpings from the third umpire’s room.
Javagal Srinath
One of India’s finest fast bowlers, Srinath took over 230 Test wickets in his playing days. He is now one of the most experienced match referees on the ICC Elite Panel.
Also Read: SA vs AUS 1st Test 2026: Umpires
RSA vs AUS 2nd Test: List of Commentators
SuperSport, the host broadcaster, named a panel of former South African players for the series, with Simon Katich adding an Australian voice. The panel below was announced for the ODI series and is expected to continue for the Tests. The official panel for the 2nd Test has not been announced.
| Commentator | Country |
|---|---|
| Shaun Pollock | South Africa |
| Makhaya Ntini | South Africa |
| Hashim Amla | South Africa |
| Vernon Philander | South Africa |
| Fanie de Villiers | South Africa |
| Chris Morris | South Africa |
| Monde Zondeki | South Africa |
| Mfuneko Ngam | South Africa |
| Victor Mpitsang | South Africa |
| Jon Kent | South Africa |
| Simon Katich | Australia |
| Ed Rainsford | Zimbabwe |
Presenters: Natalie Germanos, Mpumelelo Mbangwa, Philasande Sixaba and Lesego Pooe.
ABC Radio Commentary (Australia)
ABC Sport’s audio coverage features Corbin Middlemas, Ben Cameron, Neil Manthorp, Jason Gillespie, Phil Jaques and Shaun Pollock.
Also Read: SA vs AUS 1st Test Result
RSA vs AUS Test Series Live Telecast and Streaming
| Country | TV Channel | Live Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| India | Eurosport | FanCode |
| South Africa | SuperSport, SABC 3 | DStv app |
| Australia | Fox Cricket | Kayo Sports |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports Cricket | Sky Go |
| USA and Canada | Willow TV | Willow |
RSA vs AUS 2nd Test Squads
South Africa Squad
Temba Bavuma (c), Kyle Verreynne (wk), 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.
Australia Squad
Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey (wk), Sam Harper (wk), Scott Boland, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Nic Maddinson, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.
Also Read: IND vs WI 5th T20I 2026: List of Umpires
Venue Guide: St George’s Park
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Stadium | St George’s Park |
| City | Gqeberha, South Africa |
| Capacity | 19,000 |
| Ends | Duckpond End, Park Drive End |
| Home team | Eastern Province |
RSA vs AUS Test Series Schedule
| Match | Dates | Venue | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Test | October 9 to 13, 2026 | Kingsmead, Durban | 1:00 PM IST |
| 2nd Test | October 18 to 22, 2026 | St George’s Park, Gqeberha | 1:00 PM IST |
| 3rd Test | October 27 to 31, 2026 | Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town | To be confirmed |
Series So Far
1st Test: Australia win by 214 runs
Australia batted first in Durban and scored 390, with Matt Renshaw making 190. South Africa replied with 284, led by David Bedingham’s 49. Australia declared their second innings on 314/6, with Renshaw adding 82, and set South Africa a target of 421. Josh Hazlewood took 6/49 in the second innings, and South Africa were all out for 206 before tea on day five, with Aiden Markram scoring 75. Renshaw was named Player of the Match.
A win for Australia in Gqeberha would seal the series, while South Africa need to win to take the series to the Cape Town decider. The pitch and the toss could matter, as the two sides meet again after a 214-run gap in Durban.
Also Read: India Announces Test Squad
