Taking a closer look at the Springbok squad to face Australia at Ellis Park
Boksquad looks at some of the biggest talking points after Rassie Erasmus named his matchday squad for Saturday's massive clash against Australia in Johannesburg.
The South African-born Labuschagne was dropped from Australia's Test team on their tour of the West Indies after a prolonged period of struggles with the bat, including the World Test Championship final against the Proteas.
It was the first time he was out of the team in over six years but an average of just below 28 over the previous two seasons was not good enough to maintain his place in the team.
However, there is plenty of debate surrounding the Australian top order, which continues to struggle as they look to find a capable replacement.
Labuschagne refuses to rule out a possible return to the team and says that getting dropped from the team and the criticism in the public that led to it is just driving him to improve himself as a player.
"Being left out has given me an opportunity to reflect and not having the pressure of the media saying, 'Marnus has got to go'," Labuschagne told News Corp in his first interview since losing his spot.
"I mean that's part of the game. There is a tipping point but it's something I thrive on… proving the doubters wrong and being able to find a way. Missing those West Indies Tests gave me the chance to back and think, 'This is where I want to be and this is how I'm going to get there'."
Cameron Green has had some decent performances in the number 3 spot in the order but should Labuschagne force his way back into the team, Green could easily slide lower down the order to provide some much-needed stability later on in the innings.
Labuschange admits that he would be happy to bat wherever is required of him if it means a chance of playing for Australia again, whether that be opening the batting or coming in later on.
"I would be happy to do that - I would love to,'' he said. "If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that's fine. If you had asked me where I prefer to bat obviously I have batted at three my whole career, but at this stage you don't get a choice.
"I opened in the World Test Championship final and felt I batted quite well. I got in but did not go on with it."