Breaking: Labuschagne retained for South Africa Test series despite pressure

Marnus Labuschagne selected in Australian Test squad for South Africa tourPosted Mon 7 Sep 2026 at 10:22amMon 7 Sep 2026 at 10:22amMarnus Labuschagne is in the 16-man Test squad to tour South Africa. (Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)Marnus Labuschagne will travel to South Africa for next month's Test tour of South Africa after being named in a 16-man squad.There have been calls for the number three to be dropped after more than three years without a Test century, but the 32-year-old has kept his spot for the tour despite being left out of the limited-overs sides.Labuschagne has never played a Test in South Africa, where he was born and spent the first 10 years of his life.Big-hitting Cooper Connolly, spinner Matthew Kuhnemann and seamer Michael Neser, another South Africa-born Australian, have been added to the group that contested the second Test against Bangladesh in Mackay last month.Australia's men's team will play Tests in Durban (October 9-13), Gqeberha (October 18-22) and Cape Town (October 27-31).Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster