Match Scoreboard and Summary
- South Africa 425-9 dec: Bavuma 179, Jansen 85; Boland 5-81
- Australia 99 & 156-4: Head 87*; Rabada 2-30
- Australia trail by 170 runs
- Not since the Nottingham Ashes Test in 2005, Shane Warne’s spin and watching Ashley Giles’ leg glance from behind a cushion, had Australia been asked to follow-on in an away Test.
- It had only happened to them on one other occasion anywhere in the world in 38 years.
Australia had South Africa struggling at 110-6 on day three of the second Test in Gqeberha, but a remarkable turnaround left the touring side staring at a potential defeat. This South African subsidence was the latest example of an Australian batting line-up only consistent for its inconsistency, if Katich’s words seem strong for a side 1-0 up in the series. Even the highs of Matt Renshaw’s 190 in the first-Test win in Durban were countered by the fact no other Australian made 50. When plenty of others haven’t, but he has, he’s been given plenty of rope over the past few years. How will the Australian selectors view that dismissal.
Being bowled out for 99 in their first innings equaled historic low points and handed the Proteas an unexpected pathway toward victory and a chance to level the series.
Travis Head remained unbeaten on 87, but the tourists endured a calamitous outing as they conceded their largest first-innings lead since 1984 before failing again later in the day. Sitting at 156-4 in their second innings, Australia still trail by 170 runs with only one day remaining. And shelling it was the only thing the towering 6ft 8in seamer did wrong all day, it was a sharp catch as Head cut.
Former opening batter Simon Katich remarked on SEN Radio that multiple individuals are currently playing for their international futures during this innings. According to there are a number of players playing for their careers in this innings,”, Former Australia opener Simon Katich, Australia’s highest scorer from that Trent Bridge Test 21 years ago, on SEN Radio.
Former world-leading batter Marnus Labuschagne finds himself under intense scrutiny following another low score.
After edging Anrich Nortje for 14 in the morning, he fell for 39 after tea when he was caught by Simon Harmer off a shot down the ground, extending his drought without a Test century to 47 innings. He will not get another chance to bat for his place before Cape Town hosts the third Test from 27 October. Once the leading batter in the world, has made a Test century, it is now 47 innings since the 32-year-old. Against the breeze, when Australia are trying to play for a draw,” added Katich, only he knows what was going through his mind when he tried to take Harmer down the ground. Now the doubts around Australia’s XI are as loud as ever.
Opener Nic Maddinson also faces an uncertain fate after recording two ducks alongside scores of eight and 48 following his recall at age 34. Leaving the left-hander with two ducks to go with scores of eight and 48 since his surprise recall aged 34, it is because of that very fact Maddinson has chased balls outside off stump in both innings. They faced all of the questions 48 hours ago.
Meanwhile, young opener Sam Konstas scored 151 not out for New South Wales domestically.
Marco Jansen starred for South Africa with figures of 5-33 in the first innings, dismissing Renshaw, Carey, and Webster into the catcher cordon. Who was superb in taking 5-33 in Australia’s first innings, credit must also go to left-armer Jansen. But Webster, who became the day’s 13th wicket when he was pinned lbw by Harmer in the final 20 minutes, will be another looking over his shoulder, renshaw and wicketkeeper Carey have credit in the bank.
Beau Webster averaged 34.13 with the bat across 11 completed Tests but has now gone seven innings without a half-century. He averages 34.13 with the bat and 28.75 with the ball in his 11 completed Tests, an admirable cricketer.
Australia’s batting order has proven consistently inconsistent, highlighted by previous collapses such as being bowled out for 132 in the first Test of the previous Ashes and 198 against Bangladesh. They piled up 511 in Brisbane in the next, bowled out for 132 in the first Test of the Ashes last winter. But were bundled out for 198 by Bangladesh in their next Test en route to a shock defeat, they scored 567 at the end of the Ashes.
Head provided some resistance, surviving an early drop at gully by Jansen, while Steve Smith spent extended time in the dressing room receiving treatment for a neck issue after scoring 28 in the first innings. South Africa now stand on the brink of a famous victory as the final day approaches. For some, it might even be too late. He survived longer than anyone else in the first innings – 88 balls for 28 runs – but was given treatment for an apparent neck issue throughout and remained in the dressing room as evening wickets fell.
How Australia Collapsed to 99 All Out
- Jansen sparked the collapse by dismissing nightwatchman Scott Boland with his first ball of the morning.
- Four overs later, Jansen trapped Head lbw on review for 14, shortly before Labuschagne fell caught at slip off Nortje.
- Jansen removed Renshaw and Carey in quick succession and later secured his five-wicket haul by having Webster caught.
- Wiaan Mulder bowled Smith through the gate for 28, while Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins departed within 11 balls of each other.
- The total of 99 marked Australia’s lowest Test score since being dismissed for 91 by India in Nagpur in 2023.
