SA v Australia: All you need to know guide

The anticipation for Australia's clash with South Africa has reached fever pitch on the eve of the four-Test series starting in Durban.

Fearsome bowling attacks and world-class batters go head to head in a series that promises to be anything but dull.

How to Watch

For New Zealand cricket fans, we have some exciting news! The South Africa v Australia Test series will be live streamed exclusively for New Zealand viewers through the Cricket Network Live Pass. Kiwis can download the Cricket Network app from the iOS app store or via Google Play, or watch on desktop via the Cricket Network match centre. The CN Live Pass will be priced at $NZD 24.99 - SUBSCRIBE HERE (NZ only).

Viewers in Australia fortunate enough to have a subscription to Fox Sports will be able to watch the Test series live on Foxtel. There will be no free-to-air broadcast with Cricket South Africa selling the Australian broadcast rights to Fox Sports.

South Africa viewers will find the series on SuperSport, in the UK it will be on Sky Sports, on Sony LIV in India, OSN in the Middle East, and Willow TV in the US. There's no confirmed broadcast for New Zealand yet, but watch this space. Check local guides for other regions.

Free Live Radio Streaming!

And great news for Australian cricket fans, you will be able to hear a radio call on cricket.com.au and the Cricket Australia Live App. We will be carrying SEN's call of the tour featuring esteemed radio broadcaster Gerard Whateley, leading a commentary team calling every ball of the Test series live from the ground.

The free radio coverage will not require a subscription, but you will need to log in via the CA Live app (available on the iOS app store and Google Play) or the cricket.com.au Match Centre. The radio broadcast will be simulcast on SEN platforms.

"This Test series shapes as the most compelling cricket anywhere in the world this year," Whateley said. "With the raw excitement of two pace attacks laying claim to being the most fearsome in the game, it promises to be as absorbing as it is combative."

Whateley will be joined by former Australia opener Simon Katich and ex-Aussie bowler Brendon Julian, with SEN's evenings host – and Cricket Network commentator – Jack Heverin. ABC will also have a radio call on Grandstand digital.

Highlights, reports, behind the scenes

Cricket.com.au has a team of experienced journalists and videographers on the ground in South Africa, led by Unplayable Podcast host Sam Ferris. Joined by Callum Kanoniuk, the pair have been producing regular video packages 'In case you played and missed it' that deliver everything you need to know in handy snippet-sized form.

Our on-the-ground team provided exclusive highlights of Australia's sole warm-up match, and have been producing exclusive packages to get your juices flowing for this series and bring you up to speed with key players and match ups.

The expert view

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith has joined the Cricket Network stable for this Test series, and will be providing exclusive insight, analysis and opinion on the nip and tuck of the series every day from the Tests. A Proteas legend, he captained South Africa in 109 of his 117 Tests, and faced Australia 21 times (and has x-rays of broken hands to prove it). Now an insightful commentator, 'Biff' will add a new dimension to the series for Cricket Network viewers and readers.

The fixtures

First Test Kingsmead, Durban, March 1-5. Live coverage

Second Test St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, March 9-13. Live coverage

Third Test Newlands, Cape Town, March 22-26. Live coverage

Fourth Test Wanderers, Johannesburg, March 30-April 3. Live coverage

The squads

South Africa: Faf du Plessis (c), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock, Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander, Kagiso Rabada.

Australia: Steve Smith (c), David Warner (vc), Cameron Bancroft, Pat Cummins, Peter Handscomb, Josh Hazlewood, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Jhye Richardson, Chadd Sayers, Mitchell Starc.

How's the Aussie preparation?

There was a fair bit of rust-shedding and fine-tuning by the Aussies in their one and only warm-up match. It was an official first-class match, with Pat Cummins reacquainting himself with South Africa well in his first match in the country since his debut Test in 2011, taking 4-32 and hitting an unbeaten 59, interestingly batting at No.8 ahead of Mitch Starc. The South Africa A batsmen might suggest the Aussie spearhead was miffed by his demotion as he rampaged through them with 4-46 in a spell of searing pace and bounce.

What about this drought?

There is a serious drought afflicting Cape Town, venue for the third Test, starting March 22. The rest of the country remains unaffected but it is a very serious issue for the city. The Western Province Cricket Association has been working towards making Newlands a 'water neutral' venue that does not rely on municipal water, instead using groundwater from a borehole to prepare the field for play. All amateur cricket fixtures were cancelled in the region in a bid to save water. The situation will continue to be monitored but, at this stage, does not seem likely to prevent the Test going ahead.

Last time they met

Australia and South Africa have a funny record, with each struggling to hold any sort of home advantage. On South Africa's last trip Down Under in 2016 a rampant Proteas attack met an Australian side in flux, and it wasn't pretty. After defeat in Perth, the Hobart shellacking was a nadir for Australia at home, and it sparked a round of blood-letting. The home side rebounded to win under lights at Adelaide to start their course correction.

The last time they met in South Africa, however, was a humdinger of a series. Mitchell Johnson and David Warner at the peak of their powers, and Steve Smith coming into his own. The Aussies stormed the gates at Centurion before the Proteas hit back in Port Elizabeth. It set up one of the great Tests of modern times in Cape Town. Warner hit centuries in each innings, a feat unbelievably overshadowed. Firstly Michael Clarke's courageous innings to put his body on the line, literally, of a short-pitched barrage that left him with a fractured collarbone as he posted an unbeaten 161. And then, as things got very heated as the match stretched into the fifth afternoon, Ryan Harris, bad knee and all, summoned an almighty effort to drag Australia to a famous victory.

And to think, this time we get FOUR Tests.

Form Guide

Both sides have been playing white ball cricket immediately before this series, but they also won their previous Test series. Australia were far too good for England and won the Ashes 4-0 at home, while South Africa overcame India 2-1 in an entertaining series that was played on some interesting pitches. Since then, India dominated in 50- and 20-over cricket and while the Aussies were hounded in the 50-over game by England, several of the Test stars have had time off since while David Warner captained a team full of the Big Bash League's best to a T20 tri-series win in New Zealand.

Key Player

We've heard the phrase "best since Bradman" bandied around a bit over the years, but in Steve Smith's case it literally is true. Only one other man has had a higher Test batting rating in the history of the game than what Smith holds right now, and that was The Don.

Emotional farewell

South Africa quick Morne Morkel has already announced this will be his final series in Test cricket, and will retire from the international game after the fourth Test in Johannesburg. Labelled "one of the most underrated players in the world" by former Aussie captain Steve Waugh, the 33-year-old known affectionately as The Giraffe needs six wickets to become just the fifth South African to reach the 300 Test-wicket milestone.