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Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson and Beau Webster all appear at risk of being dropped after a horror fourth day for Australia in Gqeberha put South Africa in sight of a stunning victory.
On a disastrous Wednesday morning for Pat Cummins’ side, they were first bowled out for 99, before being asked to follow on and go to stumps at 4-156 still trailing by 170.
It leaves Australia fighting to avoid defeat in the second Test and keep their 1-0 series lead going into next week’s finale in Cape Town.
Travis Head has offered the lone resistance for Australia with an unbeaten 87, with Scott Boland finishing a second straight day alongside him as nightwatchman.
Making matters worse for Australia is that Steve Smith is battling a stiff neck, unable to bat a second time on Thursday after struggling for his 28 in the first.
Remarkably, it comes after Australia had South Africa 6-110 early on the third morning following two rain-marred days, before they recovered to 9(dec)-425.
The fallout from Wednesday’s collapse will likely be long and detailed, after Marco Jansen took 5-33 and Australia had to follow on for only the third time since 1988.
But the majority of focus will no doubt fall on Maddinson, Labuschagne and Webster.
After being caught driving late on the third evening for a fourth-ball duck off Kagiso Rabada, Maddinson again edged the quick to be out for eight on Wednesday.
Since his recall in the first Test, Maddinson has now made scores of 0, 48, 0 and 8.
His career average of 10.71 is also the second lowest of any top-six Australian batter in history, with it appearing almost inevitable he will be dropped for Cape Town.
Labuschagne, meanwhile, has still not scored a century since the 2023 Ashes with his frustrating habit of not carrying on with starts continuing.
After being superbly caught by Simon Harmer at slip off Anrich Nortje in the first innings, Labuschagne looked a man whose career was on the line in the second.
He let out a massive sigh of relief when an lbw was overturned on 36 off Harmer, with ball-tracking having it missing by 4.7 millimetres.
But the Queenslander threw his wicket away three runs later, hitting Harmer into heavy winds and admonishing himself after being caught halfway to the boundary.
It was only two months ago coach Andrew McDonald declared Labuschagne “needs some big runs”. He has responded with scores of 4, 37, 37, 14 and 39.
Webster also made an uncomfortable 13 in the first innings before being lbw late in the day for eight in the second, with his spot also seemingly in the balance.
Australia have Josh Inglis, Cooper Connolly and Sam Harper as reserve batters on this tour, while Cameron Green is edging closer to overcoming an abdomen strain.
Sam Konstas could also figure after a Sheffield Shield century in Perth on Wednesday, with Nathan McSweeney and Kurtis Patterson other options.
Australia may need to move Matt Renshaw back up to the top of the order, after last week’s Test heroics at number five had seen him remain in the middle at St George’s Park.
But even he couldn’t save the day on Wednesday, caught at slip for 12 in the first innings and then being bowled leaving Rabada for 11 in the second.
The one rare positive for Australia was Head, whose second innings marked his first score above 25 in the past four Tests.
Australia’s capitulation came after the St George’s Park wicket looked easy for South Africa to bat-on on Tuesday, with Temba Bavuma hitting 179, Jansen 85 and Harmer 82.
The Proteas have lost Nortje to a groin injury, after he limped off four overs into his spell on Wednesday.
Harmer turns one from round the wicket and Webster is pinned right in front.
He doesn’t even think about reviewing and takes a good look around as he walks off.
Boland is nightwatchman for the second time in two days as the light fades.
Harmer creates several bat/pad half chances, but Boland survives.
Head is unbeaten on 87, Australia trail by 170 runs with six wickets in hand.
Rabada has bowled a super spell to Renshaw and the left-hander ultimately succumbs.
He leaves a ball angled in from round the wicket that skids a bit low and hits him right in front before flicking the outside of the off stump.
Webster in at number five, ahead of Smith but also Carey. Australia still trail by 200.
Harmer tempts Labuschagne to hit into the strong wind, and on 39 he obliges.
The chance swirls in the air but is never going to clear Jansen, who takes it well.
Labuschagne lingers in the middle then lets out a yell of frustration, as he knows his Test place is now well and truly out of his hands.
Renshaw comes in to bat. Smith is batting down the order due to a neck complaint.
AUS 2-100 with Head on 52. They are 226 runs behind.
Harmer gets turn from round the wicket, seemingly hits Labuschagne in front and the finger goes up.
Labuschagne reviews in hope as much as expectation, and after a tense delay, ball-tracking shows the ball turning just past leg stump, by a millimetre or two. Officially 4.7mm.
That could have been the match – and Labuschagne’s Test future.
Head then reaches his first Test half-century since the SCG Ashes Test in January.
It’s getting overcast in Gqeberha as Head and Labuschagne try to get through to the end of the day.
A bit of rain would be welcomed by the tourists. Smith, meanwhile, has re-emerged in the team viewing area.
The Aussies have made it to tea without losing another wicket as they try to survive today.
Conditions remain difficult but the winds seemed to challenge both sides in the closing stages of the session.
Expect Rabada and co to come out firing in the final session – even if they can’t win today, they could still take down several of the top order.
There is also some conjecture about where Smith will bat in this innings after his struggles with a neck issue earlier in the day.
Smith is in the dressing room, but pictures of the team viewing area have shown Renshaw and Webster padded up.
It’s customary for the next two players due in to do so.
We are about to get a period of high winds at St George’s Park, as Head and Labuschagne try to survive.
That won’t be ideal for the bowlers either.
The Proteas have gone to off-spinner Simon Harmer after just 12 overs in the second innings.
Bavuma may be just trying to give his quick some additional rest with the tea break coming up but the ball is still very new.
Harmer is an experienced pro who will know how to use the newer ball but the Aussies are also looking to play their shots against him.
Rababa is bowling at the other end, so it could be a tough turnaround for the Aussies to face spin and then express pace.
AUS 1-39 with Labuschagne on 13 and Head on 17. They are 287 runs behind.
