Steve Smith in concussion assessment after Nortje bouncer in Durban Test
Synopsis
Steve Smith's concussion scare in Durban is more than a fitness bulletin — it is a reminder of a recurring vulnerability that has already shaped Ashes history once. With Australia six wickets from a series-opening win and the second Test just five days away in Gqeberha, the next 24 hours could define both the match outcome and Smith's availability for the rest of the tour.
Key Takeaways
Steve Smith was struck on the helmet by an Anrich Nortje bouncer just four balls into his second innings in the Durban Test .
Smith was initially cleared to bat but did not take the field when Australia began bowling in the fourth innings on Day 4 .
Under Cricket Australia's policy, a concussion diagnosis means a minimum 24-hour stand-down and medical clearance before return.
Beau Webster expressed hope that Smith would be available for Day 5 or at the latest the second Test in Gqeberha .
Australia need six more wickets on Day 5 to win the first Test; the second Test starts 18 October 2026 in Gqeberha.
Smith was famously stood down from an Ashes Test in 2019 after a Jofra Archer bouncer — the incident that introduced concussion substitutes to Test cricket.
Veteran Australia batter Steve Smith is undergoing a concussion assessment after being struck on the helmet by a Anrich Nortje bouncer during the first South Africa vs Australia Test in Durban, and subsequently failing to take the field in the fourth innings on Day 4. Australia are hopeful he will be cleared fit in time for the final day's play on Tuesday, when the visitors need six more wickets to seal a memorable away victory.
How the Incident Unfolded
Smith was struck early in his second innings — just four balls in — after ducking into a short-pitched delivery from Nortje that did not rise as much as the right-hander had anticipated. He was assessed for concussion at the time and cleared to continue his innings. However, when Australia returned to the field at the start of South Africa's fourth innings, Smith was absent, prompting fresh concern over his condition.
Australian all-rounder Beau Webster offered limited details on Smith's fitness at stumps on Day 4 but expressed optimism. 'I hope he's OK,' Webster said. 'He obviously copped a nasty knock in the head there… (we are) wishing him all the best. Hopefully, you know, he's back out with us either tomorrow or in the next Test in Gqeberha.'
What a Concussion Diagnosis Would Mean
If medical personnel formally diagnose Smith with concussion, he would be ruled out of fielding on Day 5. Under Cricket Australia's concussion and head trauma policy, players face a minimum 24-hour stand-down following a diagnosis and may not return to any cricket-related activity until cleared by a medical officer.
The development carries additional weight given that Smith has a documented history of concussion and vertigo symptoms. Most notably, he was stood down from an Ashes Test in 2019 after being struck by a bouncer from Jofra Archer, an incident that saw Marnus Labuschagne become the first concussion substitute in Test cricket history.
What It Means for the Match and Series
Australia are well-placed in the first Test at Durban, requiring just six South African wickets on Day 5 to secure a result that would give them a series lead. Smith's absence from the field complicates their fielding options, though his batting contribution — if cleared — may not be required depending on how South Africa bat on Tuesday.
The second Test is scheduled to begin in Gqeberha on Sunday, 18 October 2026, while the third Test in Cape Town is a fortnight away. A prolonged concussion diagnosis could put Smith's availability for Gqeberha in doubt as well, given the tight turnaround. This is the second time in Smith's career that a Nortje-class short-pitched assault has raised health concerns of this nature.
Smith's Concussion History
The 2019 Ashes incident cast a long shadow over Smith's career. He missed the third Ashes Test at Headingley and was passed fit only later in the series. Since then, reports of recurring vertigo have followed the right-hander intermittently, making any fresh head blow a matter of heightened caution for the Australian medical and selection teams. His welfare over the next 24 hours will be closely monitored before any decision is made.
Point of View
But the five-day gap before Gqeberha leaves almost no buffer if the diagnosis is positive. The broader question is whether Test cricket's scheduling — three matches in three weeks across three cities — allows adequate recovery time for a player whose medical profile demands extra caution.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Steve Smith in the Durban Test?
Steve Smith was struck on the helmet by an Anrich Nortje bouncer just four balls into his second innings in the first Test against South Africa in Durban. He was cleared to continue batting at the time but did not return to field in the fourth innings, prompting a further concussion assessment over the next 24 hours.
Will Steve Smith play on Day 5 of the Durban Test?
Australia are hopeful Smith will be cleared fit for Day 5, when they need six more South African wickets to win the first Test. A formal concussion diagnosis under Cricket Australia's policy would rule him out of fielding on the final day.
What is Cricket Australia's concussion protocol?
Under Cricket Australia's concussion and head trauma policy, a player diagnosed with concussion faces a minimum 24-hour stand-down and cannot return to any cricket-related activity until a medical officer provides clearance. This protocol was strengthened in part following Steve Smith's own 2019 Ashes incident.
Has Steve Smith suffered concussion before?
Yes. Smith was famously stood down from the third Ashes Test at Headingley in 2019 after being struck by a Jofra Archer bouncer, in an incident that saw Marnus Labuschagne become Test cricket's first concussion substitute. Smith has also reported recurring vertigo symptoms in subsequent years.
When is the next Test between South Africa and Australia?
The second Test is scheduled to begin in Gqeberha on Sunday, 18 October 2026, with the third Test in Cape Town following a fortnight later. Smith's availability for Gqeberha may depend on the outcome of his current concussion assessment.
