Gerald Coetzee returns for the Newlands decider as South Africa chase a series win over Australia

South Africa have recalled Gerald Coetzee for his first Test in almost two years as they go into the Newlands decider level at 1-1 with Australia

The third and final Test of the series begins at Newlands in Cape Town on Tuesday with nothing between the sides. Australia took the opener in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa levelled the series at Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.

South Africa named their side a day out and made one change to the team that won the second Test. Gerald Coetzee comes in for Anrich Nortje, who has been ruled out with a groin injury picked up in Gqeberha.

Australia were less settled. Steve Smith was put through a fitness test on a troublesome neck during the final training session, and captain Pat Cummins said the team would be left as late as possible.

Coetzee picked as the enforcer

Coetzee has not played a Test in almost two years and has managed only two first-class matches in that time. Temba Bavuma said he was still the nearest thing to a direct swap for Nortje.

Bavuma described him as "probably the closest guy in terms of a like-for-like" for the role, and pointed to his speeds. "Gerald does have an extra bit of pace," the captain said, citing a bowler who bowls consistently above 140kph.

South Africa wanted that option, Bavuma said, "especially when the wicket gets flat or when the wicket gets soft".

The layoff was weighed before the call was made. "We did consider the fact that he hasn't played for a while," Bavuma said, adding that Coetzee had been training with the squad and "has the ability to make a big play for the team".

Nortje's tour ends early

Nortje broke down after 3.3 overs in South Africa's second Test and took no further part in the match. He had dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, caught by Simon Harmer at third slip, before he left the field.

The problem is a mild one to his right groin, but it cuts short a comeback that had carried some weight. He had bowled 40 overs in Durban on his first Test appearance in more than three and a half years.

Corbin Bosch and Dane Paterson were the other seam options available to the selectors, with the rest of the squad unchanged.

Maharaj misses out again

Keshav Maharaj, South Africa's most prolific Test spinner with 220 wickets, was left out for a second successive match, with Simon Harmer preferred as the only frontline slow bowler.

Bavuma called it "one of the tougher decisions to be a part of" and said Maharaj "has been a stalwart for us".

The reasoning was match-ups. Australia carry several left-handers in their top seven, and Harmer turns the ball away from them, with only one specialist spinner able to be accommodated.

Australia wait on Smith

Smith hurt his neck during the defeat at Gqeberha and batted for around 35 minutes in the Newlands nets on the eve of the Test, flexing the neck between deliveries.

"Hopefully, it all goes well and he'll be there," Cummins said, adding that Australia would wait for "that last piece of the puzzle" before naming a team. "You don't play 100 odd tests without matches where you're not 100 percent fit."

Smith has averaged a little over 20 in four innings this series, though his captain was unstinting about his tour. "He's been awesome this tour," Cummins said.

Cameron Green is fit again after an abdominal strain and is expected to bat without bowling, with Matthew Renshaw likely to open alongside Travis Head.

Nic Maddinson and Sam Harper were released from the squad on the eve of the match to return home for the Sheffield Shield.

What Newlands asks of them

The surface has belonged to the quicks in recent seasons. Since 2020, fast bowlers have taken 84 wickets at the ground to spin's nine.

There is more riding on the week than the series itself. Australia need results to protect their position in the World Test Championship standings, where South Africa are third.

Play begins at 10:30am local time, with Australia's XI and the toss the last pieces to fall into place.

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