South Africa staged a remarkable turnaround in Gqeberha, recovering from a precarious 97 for 5 on day three to reach 425 for 9 declared. Captain Temba Bavuma anchored the effort with a career-best 179, a marathon innings spanning 338 balls and 547 minutes. His nine hours and seven minutes at the crease proved instrumental in lifting the hosts from a dire situation of 110 for 6 into a position of dominance.
The recovery was bolstered by two significant partnerships. Marco Jansen first provided the counter-attacking impetus, scoring 85 off 100 deliveries with three sixes and nine fours. His partnership with Bavuma added 132 runs off 185 balls before Scott Boland claimed his wicket. Simon Harmer then joined his captain, contributing an astute 82 off 157 balls. These two substantial stands allowed South Africa to surpass the 400-run mark. Both helmed by the South African captain that took them past safety and into a position of strength, but then came two exceptional backs-to-the-wall partnerships. First, Marco Jansen joined his skipper and played a contrasting knock that saw him nearly get his maiden Test century. Counter-punching against Australia’s attack and being the fire to Bavuma’s ice through a session and a half, he scored a 100-ball 85 with nine fours and three sixes. Bavuma, who later admitted it was still a tough pitch to bat on, played a big role in keeping the Aussies on the park for nearly the entire day. Bavuma watched on mostly as Jansen made quick runs in their alliance worth 132 off 185 deliveries. Scott Boland broke the partnership with Jansen’s wicket but that led to further show of fortitude from the current holders of the WTC mace. Simon Harmer batted for longer – 277 balls – in Bavuma’s company during which the latter got to his 100 and 150 to a rousing applause from the dressing room. But he too fell agonisingly short of a first Test century – departing for 82, he batted 157 balls.
Mitchell Starc eventually ended Bavuma’s tenure by having him caught behind for 179, triggering the captain’s declaration. Kagiso Rabada, having just walked out as the next batter, was immediately required to shift gears and open the bowling. He delivered an immediate impact by dismissing Nic Maddinson for a duck in the opening over. Australia ended the day on 3 for 1, trailing South Africa by 422 runs. On the final day in Durban, South Africa needed the showers that just didn’t arrive. On Day 3 in Gqeberha, Australia would’ve perhaps known what that felt like to an extent, as runs and defiance came, but wickets didn’t. Staring at a mountain of runs that looked unlikely at the start of the day, australia closed out the day on 3 for 1.
Brief scores: South Africa 425/9 declared (Temba Bavuma 179, Marco Jansen 85, Simon Harmer 82; Scott Boland 5-81, Mitchell Starc 3-89) lead Australia 3/1 (Kagiso Rabada 1-0) by 422 runs.
