South Africa vs Australia, 2018- 5 Players to watch out for in the third Test

Cape Town, with the beautiful Table mountain in the backdrop, will bear witness to the third Test between host South Africa and Australia. The series stands at one all. So far, action on the ground has been overshadowed by emotional sendoffs and frequent visits to the match referee's chamber.

Kagiso Rabada, the hero of last test, has been cleared to play the next two tests after his 2 match ban was overturned by ICC's code of conduct appeal commissioner Michael Heron. South Africa will be buoyed by the news while Australia might just need to alter their plans at the last moment.

We look at 5 key players who have had a quiet series so far but can decide which way the series will go.

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#1 Steven Smith

Steve Smith has struggled against the spin of Maharaj

Steven Smith is the central rock around which the Australian batting revolves. He has had a middling series so far. Keshav Maharaj has given the Australian skipper tough time in this series. Smith has struggled to gauge the spin and trajectory of his deliveries getting beaten on both the inside and the outside edges.

In the 4 innings of this series, the Australian skipper has scored 130 runs at an average of 32.50. South African have not allowed Smith to get away in any of the innings so far.

Australia will need Smith to be at his best if they want to triumph over a resurgent South Africa and maintain their impeccable record.

#2 Hashim Amla

Amla last scored a hundred against Australia in February 2014

The class and serenity of Amla at number 3 provides a perfect contrast to the dynamism and pugnacity of rest of the South African middle order. Amla's form has not been great against top quality sides since 2015.

He has averaged 36.10 with only 3 tons to his name against top test nations( against Australia, Sri Lanka, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and England) since 2015. In that same period, he also averages meagre 21.00 against the Australians. Amla has been not only susceptible early in his innings but also after crossing 50 runs.

A clear game plan against the Aussie pace attack and Lyon is required for Amla to end this prolonged trough in his career.

#3 Josh Hazlewood

Hazlewood needs to step up in the remaining tests

The accuracy and relentlessness of Josh Hazlewood allow Starc and Cummins to be more inventive. Fresh from successful Ashes campaign, Hazlewood has so far not hit his straps on the South African shores.

Touring South Africa for the first time, he has taken a total of 7 wickets in the first two tests. The major concern for Australia has been his inability to take quick wickets with the new ball. Hazlewood needs to adapt to the South African wickets quickly to ease the pressure on Starc and Lyon in the next 2 tests.

#4 Vernon Philander

Philander will be back at his favourite venue

South Africa would be expecting another Vernon's special at his favourite Newlands ground in Cape Town. He has taken 47 wickets at a scarcely believable average of 16.34 in 8 matches at this ground. In his last Test against India at the venue, he ran through the Indian batting line in a masterful display of seam and swing.

Philander has captured only 5 wickets so far in this series which have come at a cost of 35 each. Cape Town served up a pacer's paradise against India and Philander would be expecting something similar this time around. South Africa would want his experience and skill to complement the pace and panache of Rabada and Ngidi.

#5 Cameron Bancroft

Bancroft needs to capitalize on his starts

A strong and stable opening pair has eluded Australia for quite some time. Bancroft might just be an answer to their opening woes. He has shown good technique and judgement in seeing off the new ball so far in this series.

His patience on a difficult first-day pitch in Port Elizabeth was highly appreciated. Scores of 5, 53, 38 and 24 show that he has got starts in 3 off those innings. Australia will be expecting more from Bancroft in the next two Tests. He needs to guard against soft dismissals after getting a start.