Smith's freakish display in Durban

Australia began its Test series against South Africa with a match in Durban that featured a notable fielding display from batsman‑captain Steve Smith. The opening Test saw Smith positioned in the slips, where he took three catches over the course of South Africa’s innings.

Each of the three dismissals was described as a brilliant catch, with Smith reacting quickly to edges off the bat and securing the ball cleanly. The catches came against three different South African batsmen, contributing to the fall of wickets in the early and middle phases of the innings.

The three dismissals helped to curtail South Africa’s scoring opportunities, as each catch resulted in a wicket for the Australian side. Smith’s catches were recorded in the official match statistics as three slip catches, adding to the team's fielding tally.

Post‑match commentary highlighted the quality of the catches, noting the reflexes and hand‑eye coordination required to complete them. Analysts pointed to the catches as an example of the high standard of fielding expected at the international level.

Overall, Steve Smith’s three catches in Durban were a significant component of Australia’s fielding performance in the first Test, underscoring his contribution beyond batting and leadership duties.