LIVE: Series on a knife-edge as Australia face their demons in Newlands decider

Welcome to IOL Sport's coverage of the third and final Test between the Proteas and Australia from Newlands. 

The band of John Goliath, Myron Naicker and Rowan Callaghan will keep you company here.

Zaahier Adams is in the press box to bring you exclusive insight, match analysis, and all the raw emotion of the series decider.

Good morning from a sunny, Cape Town. There was a bit of a chill in the air yesterday, but it is a glorious start ahead of Day 1 at Newlands. 

There was a bit of a green tinge on the surface yesterday but the word on the ground is that covering will come off this morning. 

Want the sun to shine in Cape Town, even in October? Just play some cricket.

With Table Mountain glistening and providing a breathtaking backdrop, stunning scenes greet the Proteas and Australia as they clash in today’s much-anticipated third and final Test at Newlands.

With the series on a knife-edge at 1-1, Newlands is poised to deliver an epic finale.

Beneath the shadow of the mountain lies heavy history.

This pivotal decider marks the first time the Australian red-ball side has stepped onto the Newlands turf since the infamous Sandpapergate scandal of 2018 rocked the sporting world.

For the visitors, it is a chance to finally exorcise the ghosts of their darkest hour on the very ground where it occurred. For the Proteas, it is an opportunity to defend their fortress and claim a monumental series victory.

The stage is set, the stakes could not be higher, and the world is watching.

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Win the toss and bat first ? We are in for an exciting few days. 

Standby for the Toss at 10am with play set to get underway at 10:30am.