The St George’s Park pitch report points to a balanced surface for the SA vs AUS 2nd Test, with batters likely to score well early and bowlers gaining control as the match goes on. A first-innings score of around 300 to 320 is par, and batting first has a slight edge on record, although heavy cloud and rain may tempt a captain to bowl. The Test starts on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 9:30 AM local time (1:00 PM IST) in Gqeberha.
Australia lead the three-match series 1-0 after a 214-run win in Durban. Australia scored 390 with Matt Renshaw making 190, South Africa replied with 284, Australia declared on 314/6, and Josh Hazlewood took 6/49 as South Africa were bowled out for 206 chasing 421. The RSA vs AUS 2nd Test umpires and commentators are listed on CricReads.
St George’s Park Pitch Report for SA vs AUS 2nd Test
| Factor | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Pitch type | Balanced, with batting easiest early and the surface wearing as the match goes on |
| Par first-innings score | 300 to 320 |
| Best for batting | Days 1 and 2 |
| Fast bowlers | New ball and the first session of each day, with heavy cloud forecast |
| Spinners | To be confirmed, though scoring falls sharply in the later innings |
| Outfield | To be confirmed |
| Toss advantage | Batting first has won 15 Tests here and bowling first 13 |
Day-by-Day Pitch Behaviour
| Day | How the Pitch Is Likely to Play |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Cloud may help seamers early, then batting should be easier |
| Day 2 | Rain is possible, and batters can score if play goes on |
| Day 3 | The pitch starts to wear and bowlers gain control |
| Day 4 | Scoring becomes harder, and the average third-innings score here is 217 |
| Day 5 | Chasing is tough, and the average fourth-innings score here is 159 |
How the Pitch Plays at St George’s Park
Details on the soil, bounce and grass cover have not been confirmed. The venue stats show 33 Tests, with 15 won batting first and 13 won bowling first, and the rest not won by either side. Scores drop as the match goes on, from an average of 313 in the first innings to 238, 217 and 159 in the next three.
The highest total here is 549/7 by Australia against South Africa, and the highest chase is 271/8 by Australia against South Africa. The lowest total is 30/10 by South Africa against England, and the lowest score defended is 130/10 by England against South Africa. Both ends of the scale show that the pitch can reward and punish.
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Gqeberha Weather Forecast for SA vs AUS 2nd Test
| Day | Date | Conditions | Temperature | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Sunday, October 18 | Cloudy, with a thunderstorm in spots in the morning | Up to 20°C | 15% to 55% |
| Day 2 | Monday, October 19 | Rain | Up to 18°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 3 | Tuesday, October 20 | Cloudy | Up to 20°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 4 | Wednesday, October 21 | Partly cloudy | Up to 22°C | To be confirmed |
| Day 5 | Thursday, October 22 | Partly cloudy | Up to 21°C | To be confirmed |
Day 1 is cloudy, with 98% cloud cover, humidity around 87% and gusts of up to 30 km/h, which can help the ball swing. Rain is the main worry on Day 2, and lost time could make a result harder to get.
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St George’s Park Test Records and Stats
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 33 |
| Won batting first | 15 |
| Won bowling first | 13 |
| Average first-innings score | 313 |
| Average second-innings score | 238 |
| Average third-innings score | 217 |
| Average fourth-innings score | 159 |
| Highest total | 549/7 (117 overs) by Australia vs South Africa |
| Lowest total | 30/10 (18.4 overs) by South Africa vs England |
| Highest score chased | 271/8 (93.3 overs) by Australia vs South Africa |
| Lowest score defended | 130/10 (58.3 overs) by England vs South Africa |
The ground has a capacity of 19,000 and hosts Eastern Province.
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SA vs AUS Test Head-to-Head
| Matches | South Africa Won | Australia Won | Drawn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | 27 | 55 | 21 |
What Should the Captains Do at St George’s Park?
Bat first if the toss is won, unless the cloud on Day 1 looks too heavy. A first-innings total of 300 or more puts pressure on the side batting last, as the average fourth-innings score is 159. Survive the early overs. Seamers have the most help in the first session, with heavy cloud and humidity. Use spin as the match goes on. Wear on the surface can bring spinners into play from Day 3. Plan for the weather. Rain on Day 2 could shorten the game, so a quick first-innings score matters.
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