The decider will take place at Newlands in Cape Town as South Africa and Australia play out the third Test in a tightly fought series currently 1-1. While both teams have struggled during the series, the Proteas showed great resilience after losing the first Test in Durban to put themselves in a strong position heading into the final Test in Gqeberha.

South Africa have the chance to win back-to-back home series victories over arch-rivals Australia and move above their opponents on the World Test rankings. A win will also help the reigning World Test Championship winners cement their status as one of the best teams in the game.

Ryan Rickelton focuses on consistency rather than rankings for South Africa

Despite having a chance to make a statement against the Aussies, South Africa wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton wants to ensure the Proteas stay focused on the task at hand.

After South Africa's victory over Australia at Lord's in the 2025 WTC Final, there have been questions around their status as one of the world's best test teams. Rickelton believes the Proteas need to develop a consistent record against the best teams to shut up their critics.

“You know, when we won the WTC it was a very clear message from Temba (Bavuma). It's not just about this game; it's about trying to create a legacy. To create a legacy, you've got to beat some of the best teams in the world,” Rickelton said.

“Also for quite some time they've been the number one team in the world so we beating them in our conditions is massive and if we were to be number one in the world that's great,” he added.

Rickelton believes that in the longer term, the Proteas should have a bigger goal in mind. With a full home summer on the horizon, there are more games for the Proteas to get themselves into a better position.

“If we're looking for the bigger picture, we've got a full home summer series. If we go well there we'll eventually get to the WTC final in London, hopefully in June,” he said.

“So if I'm asked that question at the end of June and hopefully we get to that game. We win it my answer is going to be a bit more direct and yes.”

Rickelton also admitted that Australia are a tough team to beat with their recent record. With the series currently a dead heat, South Africa need to focus on performing well again.

“At the minute we're very evenly matched. Australia have got a lot to throw at us because of their recent history and maybe their past history. We're just trying to fight another day and hopefully this week we can have a really good week,” he said.

1-1 scoreline brings back memories of 2018

The series has gone exactly how South Africa would expect. In 2018 the Proteas and Aussies headed into the final Test in Cape Town 1-1, after wins in Durban and Gqeberha.

Rickelton wasn't involved in the series but admits it's a huge confidence booster to head into Newlands with everything to play for. The chance to win the series would give them a huge confidence boost.

“We're now in a similar position heading into Cape Town 1-1 like we were in 2018. There is a lot of confidence there, and it means a lot,” Rickelton said.

“We would have loved to have come into that last Test 1-1 against a good team. Hopefully we can put in a good performance,” he added.

Rickelton added that if they win the series, it will not only have a positive effect on the players but also the confidence of the coaching staff.

“If we can get over the line this week it gives this side a lot of confidence and the coaching staff. It helps us out quite a bit,” he said.

However, Rickelton added that they don't want to get ahead of themselves and need to be consistent to perform well.

“We don't want to get ahead of ourselves. We have a job to do and we need to be consistent in the way we approach these games,” he said.

The third and final Test between South Africa and Australia gets underway on Tuesday at Newlands in Cape Town. Both teams will be hoping to end the series on a high.