| Series Name: | South African cricket team in Australia in 2016–17 |
| Team1 Image: | Flag of Australia.svg |
| Team1 Name: | Australia |
| Team2 Image: | Flag of South Africa.svg |
| Team2 Name: | South Africa |
| From Date: | 22 October 2016 |
| To Date: | 27 November 2016 |
| Team1 Captain: | Steve Smith |
| Team2 Captain: | Faf du Plessis |
| No Of Tests: | 3 |
| Team1 Tests Won: | 1 |
| Team2 Tests Won: | 2 |
| Team1 Tests Most Runs: | Usman Khawaja (314) |
| Team2 Tests Most Runs: | Quinton de Kock (281) |
| Team1 Tests Most Wickets: | Josh Hazlewood (17) |
| Team2 Tests Most Wickets: | Kagiso Rabada (15) |
| Player Of Test Series: | Vernon Philander (SA) |
The South African cricket team toured Australia in November 2016 to play three Test matches.[1] [2] [3] South Africa won the series 2–1, with victories in Perth and Hobart.[4]
In April 2016, Cricket Australia (CA) suggested that the third Test at the Adelaide Oval could be played as a day/night match, but there was some reluctance from the South African cricketers.[5] [6] In June, CA confirmed that the Adelaide Test would be played as a day/night game.[7] Prior to the series, both teams played practice day/night matches.[8]
South Africa played 2 two-day day/night warm-up fixtures at the Adelaide Oval and the Melbourne Cricket Ground in preparation for the day-night Test match.[9]
Following the conclusion of the second Test, footage emerged of South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis apparently shining the ball using a sweet in his mouth.[10] He was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for ball tampering and pled not-guilty.[11] [12] Hashim Amla said that the situation was "ridiculous" and "a joke".[13] It was suggested that a hearing would take place after the conclusion of the third Test, as Cricket South Africa (CSA) had engaged legal representation for du Plessis.[14] However, on 22 November, du Plessis was found guilty of ball tampering, fined his match fee from the Hobart Test, but was allowed to play in the Adelaide Test.[15] After du Plessis was found guilty he said he disagreed with the verdict stating "I felt like I have done nothing wrong".[16] Du Plessis appealed the charge,[17] but that was rejected on 21 December 2016.[18] The initial penalties of losing his match fee and getting three demerit points stood, but he was not punished with a one-match ban.[18]
Dale Steyn suffered a shoulder injury during the first Test and was ruled out of the rest of the series.[21] Dwaine Pretorius was added to South Africa's squad to replace Steyn.[22] Joe Burns and Callum Ferguson were added to Australia's squad for the second Test, while Shaun Marsh was ruled out with a broken finger.[23] Peter Siddle was ruled out due to a back injury and Jackson Bird was added to Australia's team as cover for him.[24]
For the third Test of the tour, Australia added Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Chadd Sayers and Matthew Wade to their squad.[25] Joe Burns, Callum Ferguson, Peter Nevill and Joe Mennie were all dropped, while Adam Voges was ruled out with concussion.[25]