Durban's Kingsmead Stadium hosts a mouth-watering encounter as Australia prepare to play their first Test match in South Africa since the infamous 2018 tour.
Eight years have now passed since 'Sandpapergate', but the scars from the ball-tampering scandal still remain.
It was during the Cape Town Test in 2018 where Cameron Bancroft was seen tampering with the ball using a small piece of sandpaper. It resulted in Bancroft receiving a nine-month ban for his actions, while Steve Smith and David Warner - captain and vice-captain at the time - were reprimanded with 12-month suspensions for their involvement in the wrongdoing.
The ball-tampering saga makes for a fascinating backdrop to what promises to be a compelling matchup between the two best Test teams in the world.
South Africa and Australia contested the World Test Championship final last summer where the Proteas dethroned the Aussies at Lord's, and the two nations are ranked second and first respectively in the current edition.
South Africa's form heading into the contest is impressive with 13 wins from their previous 14 Test matches, but the major drawback from their splendid run of results is that the Proteas haven't played a Test since defeating India in November 2025.
Australia, on the other hand, played out a series draw with Bangladesh in August, where they bounced back from a nine-wicket defeat in the first Test to win by an innings and 51 runs in Mackay.
The visitors boast a strong record in Durban having won on their last three visits to the Kingsmead, dating back to 2006.
However, in the ODI meeting between the two teams in September, it was South Africa's spinners that dominated in Durban as Keshav Maharaj took four wickets for 20 runs and Bjorn Fortuin claimed two scalps.
Maharaj will be hoping to play an instrumental role alongside another Proteas stalwart in Aiden Markram, who was influential in their success over Australia in the WTC final.
Markram averages 61 against the Baggy Greens and the stylish batter has formed a prolific partnership with fellow opener Ryan Rickelton, with the duo combining for 82 runs in their last Test outing against India.
As for Australia, they have a full contingent of quicks to pick from with Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitch Starc all keen to make their mark at a venue where pace has frequently reigned supreme.
Steve Smith will likely be the subject of taunts from the home crowd, while Marnus Labuschagne has secured his spot at number three after ending his 11-month century drought by scoring a rapid 111 off 89 balls in a warm-up match in Potchefstroom.
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