Oz in SA: Durban Test a toss-up - bookies

Cape Town - The Durban Test between the Proteas and Australia starting on Thursday is too close to call, say leading bookmakers.

READ: Proteas, Australia in tussle for second spot

Steve Smith's visiting Australian side are in the country for four Tests - in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town and Johannesburg - in what promises to be a mouth-watering series.

Australia are fresh off an Ashes demolition of England, while the Proteas beat top-ranked India on home soil earlier in the year.

A series win for the Proteas will ensure they finish second on the ICC Test rankings at the April 3 cut-off date, but more importantly, it would be the first time a South African team has beaten Australia in a series at home.

The unpredictable Kingsmead weather - and light - is bound to play a part in determining the outcome of the opening skirmish, resulting in bookies BET.co.za struggling to split the two sides.

The Proteas are on offer at 6/5, while Australia can be backed at 5/4.

The draw is on offer at an attractive 17/4.

The first ball is due to be bowled at 10:00.