South Africa storm again to crush Australia by an innings within the second Take a look at and stage the sequence 1-1 with one to play.
Revealed On 22 Oct 2026
South Africa bowled out Australia for 295 to win by an innings and 31 runs within the final session of the second Take a look at at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday to stage the three-match sequence, successful a race in opposition to looming unhealthy climate.
The hosts’ tempo trio of Wiaan Mulder, Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen took the final 4 wickets required as Australia’s resistance crumbled after a century from Travis Head and a doggedly defiant Take a look at excessive 40 by nightwatchman Scott Boland.
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Mulder, who earlier dismissed Head, then bowled Boland and castled Australia captain Pat Cummins to forge a breakthrough, with Rabada dismissing Mitchell Starc and Jansen ending off the innings with Josh Hazlewood caught within the slips.
A outcome within the Take a look at appeared far-fetched when a lot of the first two days’ play was washed out and South Africa, who had been 110-6 when the solar got here out on the morning of the third day, regarded in early hassle as Australia aimed to capitalise on their success in the first Test.
However a superb 179 runs from skipper Temba Bavuma led a fightback that noticed South Africa declare on 425-9 after which flip the Take a look at on its head by bowling Australia out for 99 and placing them in to bat once more.
Head and Boland had resumed on 156-4 within the second innings after rain returned and worn out the morning session and Head, who was 87 in a single day, went on to attain 121 earlier than chopping onto his stumps a rising supply from Mulder.
It was Head’s thirteenth Take a look at century however solely his second exterior Australia, and his departure supplied the house bowlers hope once more after virtually 90 minutes of irritating assault with out success in the beginning of the day’s motion.
“We had been scrambling a bit, undecided in regards to the climate and Australia made us work onerous for these final six wickets,” stated Bavuma.
Steve Smith, who battled with a neck drawback within the first innings on Wednesday, made three as he got here in at quantity seven.
The previous captain was tempted into pulling a supply from Rabada, bowling with the second new ball, however solely received a prime edge to Matthew Breetzke, who juggled it at mid-wicket earlier than holding the catch.
Boland, who batted for 166 balls as he put a excessive value on his wicket, went quickly after tea, when he was bowled via the gate. Then Cummins (4) performed down the incorrect line and was additionally clear bowled in Mulder’s subsequent over.
When Rabada got here again for a recent spell as darkish clouds loomed ominously overhead, he instantly bowled Starc (11), leaving one wicket to get, which Jansen snagged as Hazlewood confirmed no signal of sticking round and nicked behind the primary ball.
Alex Carey, who lasted solely two balls in Australia’s first innings, was 37 not out, with Rabada taking 4-77 on his return after a prolonged damage layoff, and Mulder 3-64.
“I assumed we confirmed some good combat, however it wasn’t fairly sufficient. We had been a good distance from our greatest,” stated Cummins.
The final Take a look at at Newlands in Cape City begins on Tuesday.
