With the series finale at Newlands on day two, Australia's reshuffled lineup has more question marks than answers.
Cape Town is the stage for the final act of this Test series, and South Africa have a chance to put pressure on an Australian batting order that looks far from settled. Day two at Newlands got under way at 10.30am local time, with the series finale still up for grabs.
The biggest talking point is who is missing. Steve Smith is out with a stiff neck, and Josh Inglis steps into a lineup that suddenly lacks its most dependable run-maker. Inglis is a quality player, but nobody pretends he is Smith, and that gap is felt across the order.
Then come the other questions. Travis Head has piled up runs as an opener in the second innings of matches, but the first knock has often been a struggle. Matt Renshaw has been shuffled around, from opener to number five and now back to the top, after a century in the first Test and a poor second. Marnus Labuschagne is fighting for his place, with no hundred in three years and a habit of reaching the 30s on this tour before getting out.
The middle and lower order carry their own doubts. Cameron Green returns from injury and is still trying to show he is a genuine Test-level batter. Alex Carey has averaged around 20 in his last seven Tests since moving to six. At seven, Cooper Connolly is a left-field selection, a young talent in the squad who has never made a first-class century.
For a South African attack playing at home, that is an opening. A fragile batting group and a decider at Newlands make this one to watch.
