Match Summary
- South Africa: 329 & 387 (Mulder 115, Rickelton 101)
- Australia: 429 & 111 (Lyon 33*; Rabada 3-39; Harmer 6-16)
- Result: South Africa won by 176 runs; won series 2-1
South Africa secured a famous Test series victory in Cape Town after Australia crumbled under the pressure of a 288-run target. Huge credit must also go to South Africa, but as poor as Australia were.
The tourists lost two wickets in the opening over to Kagiso Rabada, failing to recover from that early setback. Chasing 288 to win an enthralling contest themselves, Australia lost two wickets in the first over bowled by Kagiso Rabada and never recovered.
Rabada delivered an irresistible spell, capturing three wickets for 14 runs in five overs and dismissing Travis Head at slip to become the fastest bowler to reach 350 Test wickets. Rabada’s first spell of five overs returned three wickets for 14 runs as he targeted the stumps with pace and found seam movement.
Australia’s batting order struggled throughout the day.
Josh Inglis was run out following a mix-up with Cameron Green, while spinner Simon Harmer exploited the turning pitch to remove Alex Carey and Cooper Connolly. With Josh Inglis run out for four after inexplicably being called through by Cameron Green, but Australia played a part in their own downfall. At 40-3, they still had slim hopes but Green ran out Inglis and then Carey played his silly reverse off Harmer.
By lunch, the visitors were reeling at 60-7. Former opener Warner, who retired from Test cricket in January 2024, tore into his former team-mates, at 60-7 at lunch.
David Warner, the former Test opener, condemned the display on Fox Sports as “terrible” and “utterly disgraceful,” labeling the lack of fight as “un-Australian.
He further remarked that the batters had let the bowlers down throughout the series.
Following the lunch break, Australia adopted a defensive approach, with captain Pat Cummins facing 40 balls before recording a single run. However, the resistance was futile against Harmer, who claimed career-best match figures of 10-120. Australia was eventually dismissed for 111, with Nathan Lyon finishing as the top scorer at 33 not out. Taking the final wicket for career-best figures of 6-16 as Australia were dismissed for 111, australia then dropped anchor in a bizarre period – one scoring shot came in 50 minutes – but Harmer was not to be denied. Green, dropped on 10, survived to lunch but at one stage he was being protected from Harmer’s spin by number eight Mitchell Starc. After lunch, and ironically given Warner’s words, Australia changed tack completely, with Cummins facing 40 balls before scoring a run as he abandoned any thought of victory with two sessions to go. Harmer utilised the significant turn on offer and finished with match figures of 10-120.
For Australia, the loss initiates a challenging period, with upcoming home Tests against New Zealand followed by a tour of India, an anniversary match against England, and the next Ashes series. Marnus Labuschagne, who was dismissed after shouldering arms, remains under scrutiny after extending his century-less run to 49 innings. After opener Matt Renshaw was unfortunate to be caught down the leg side second ball, Marnus Labuschagne could not survive the remainder of the first over as he was dismissed shouldering arms. It extended the 32-year-old’s run of innings without a century to 49. Without the determination of injured former captain Steve Smith, Australia’s fresh-looking batting line-up, which did show promise in the first innings, appeared brittle.
Conversely, the victory bolsters South Africa’s standing, moving them to second in the World Test Championship standings and reclaiming a top spot in global rankings. The win completes a remarkable turnaround for the Proteas, who were 1-0 down in the series and facing a 40-4 deficit in the second Test before captain Temba Bavuma struck an epic century to change the momentum.
While this series lacked the controversy of 2018, it is considered one of the most compelling in recent years. South Africa has now proven their strength against top-tier opposition, effectively silencing doubts following their 2025 world title win. The hosts now prepare for a three-Test series against England during the upcoming holiday period. Having beaten Australia in the final in 2025, there were still lingering doubts about South Africa’s standing, given the gentle run of opponents to that Lord’s showpiece, despite being reigning Test world champions. Overall, this series may not have had the controversy of the Sandpaper series of 2018 but has been one of the best in recent memory in the longest format.
