SA vs AUS 1st Test Toss: Cooper Connolly Out As Australia Win Crucial Toss

SA vs AUS 1st Test Toss Update (Source: X)South Africa is playing against Australia in the first Test match at Kingsmead, Durban, on Friday. The much-awaited three-match Test series between the two strong teams is finally set to begin.South Africa have already announced their playing XI a day before the match. Both Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj have been included in the team. Fast bowler Anrich Nortje will also strengthen South Africa’s bowling attack. On the other hand, Australia have faced some injury problems before the first Test. Cameron Green has been ruled out of SA vs AUS 1st Test due to an abdominal strain, while Josh Inglis will miss the match because of a fractured finger.ALSO READKingsmead Ground Pitch Report, Durban Weather Report For SA vs AUS 1st Test, 2026With the excitement at an all-time high for the SA vs AUS 1st Test, in this article, let's take a look at the toss update and the playing XI of South Africa and Australia. South Africa vs Australia Toss Update - 1st TestBoth the captains, Australia (Pat Cummins) and South Africa (Temba Bavuma), are in the middle for the toss. Australia have won the toss and elected to bat first in the SA vs AUS 1st Test.Talking about the Australia's star player, Cooper Connolly, he has also not been included in Australia's playing XI for the the 1st Test. The left-handed batter has shown symptoms of a cold and flu, as per Cricinfo.South Africa vs Australia 1st Test - Playing XIsSouth Africa Playing XI : Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Tristan Stubbs, Wiaan Mulder, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj, Anrich NortjeAustralia Playing XI: Travis Head, Nic Maddinson, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh HazlewoodSouth Africa vs Australia 1st Test: What the captains had to sayTemba Bavuma (South Africa Captain): "[What he would have done had he won the toss?] We would have batted first as well. The wicket looks good and the weather is also nice. We now have to do the job with the ball. Will try to exploit what's there in the surface early on.[On team balance] Yeah, I think a little bit of both. I think obviously with our bowling attack, our two twin spinners, they've added a bit of an extra dimension into our bowling attack. So, if the conditions suit them, which we hope it would, looking at the wicket, they can come into the game. In saying that, we do have the strength there in the fast bowlers. So yeah, I feel like we've got both.[Injury updates – Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi] KG's close. I think, like I said yesterday, it's more conservative to give an extra couple of days. I think Lungi is in a different boat when it comes to his recovery, but I think KG, he's close.[On Anrich Nortje's return and managing him] Yeah, exciting to have Anrich back bowling the speed of light, as always. I think obviously with him, he'll be relishing this opportunity, and I'm sure he'll be looking to grab it with both hands.[On the conditions] Yeah, it's good to see the clear skies in Durban. You always get worried when you put the stumps in, the rain seems to come. Hopefully people also come through as well, but it should be a very beautiful day."Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): "[Decision] We would look to bat first. It’s a nice-looking surface.[Reason behind batting first] There’s a little bit of grass there. I suspect, like most Day 1 wickets, there’ll be a little bit in it. But it looks like a good day, the sun’s out.[Thoughts about the opposition] That’s right. It’s always great coming up against South Africa, whatever the format. They got the better of us a year ago in the World Test Championship. We haven’t been here to South Africa for a while, but we’re pretty excited.[On team combination] Cameron Green is the one injured player from the last series, so Nic Maddinson comes back in.[On Nic Maddinson selection] Yeah, he is. I think he’s really settled with where his game is at, and he’s showing good form. No one in Australia has had a lot of cricket over the last six months, but I feel he’s really well placed.[About managing fast bowlers] Yeah, I mean, the beauty is that we have people like Michael Neser and Scotty Boland here, who can’t force their way into the XI. So, I think we’re going to call on all our resources, but yeah, we’re excited. It’s been a bit of a lull over the last six months, waiting for everything to get going."ALSO READRazaullah To Make T20I Debut In Pakistan vs Sri Lanka 1st T20I 2026: Report