Labuschagne's immediate Test career came under intensifying scrutiny from outside the Australia bubble as his diminishing returns continued with just 36 runs from three innings against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay, a World Test Championship series that was drawn 1-1.
The 32-year-old has started more than 40 innings in Test cricket since his last century, which came during the 2023 Ashes tour of England (111 in Manchester).
His 959 Test runs since his most recent century have come at an average of just 24.6, with nine half-centuries in 43 starts.
Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting recently declared on television that it's time for the selectors to look past Labuschagne, who has struggled with technical deficiencies and confidence issues over a sustained period.
However, despite his selection in a wider 16-man touring squad, Labuschagne is not guaranteed to get a start in the first Test in Durban on October 9.
Labuschagne is understand to be fighting with 23-year-old rising star Cooper Connolly for the number three slot in the Aussie Test batting lineup.
Unlike Labuschagne, Connolly has up to three opportunities to make a formidable case for a Test debut when he plays three lead-up ODIs in Durban, Johannesburg and Potchefstroom in the last week of September.
Along with left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann and recently injured all-rounder Michael Neser, Connolly has been added to the existing 13-man squad that Australia took to Mackay for their series-levelling win against Bangladesh.
It means another opportunity at the top of the order for Queenslander Matt Renshaw, who made 8 in his Test comeback in Mackay.
Before speaking to reporters, head selector George Bailey said the "squad provides balance and options for each Test and the variety of conditions we may face", which includes a match at the typically spin-friendly St George's Park in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth).
Surprisingly, it will be Australia's first visit to the rainbow nation for Test cricket since the spicy 'Sandpapergate' incident of 2018, which is sure to be brought up throughout the series as a result.
South Africa are the reigning World Test champions after defeating Australia in a 2025 final at Lord's but have not played Test cricket since visiting India in November 2025.
They are second on the WTC table on 75%, having won three of their four Tests in the 2025-27 cycle, whilst Australia lead the table on 80% with eight wins and two losses from their ten matches.
The Proteas are also hosting Bangladesh and England during the 2025-27 edition as well as travelling to Sri Lanka in February-March 2027.
Australia Test squad to tour South Africa:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matt Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
