South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs as Simon Harmer takes 6-16 to win series 2-1

Final day collapse

Australia began the fifth day at Newlands needing 288 runs to win the third Test, and they lost two wickets in the opening over, both to Kagiso Rabada. Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne were out early, and Australia were 60-7 at lunch. Pat Cummins survived a 90-ball vigil and Nathan Lyon finished unbeaten on 33, but Simon Harmer bowled Josh Hazlewood just before tea to end the innings on 111. The 176-run win gave South Africa the Test and the series 2-1 on Saturday, 31 October.

Harmer and Rabada

Harmer, a 37-year-old spinner, finished with career-best figures of 6-16 in the second innings and 10-120 in the match, the first 10-wicket haul of his Test career. Rabada took 3-39 in the innings and reached 350 Test wickets, which BBC reported made him the fastest bowler to that mark. Josh Inglis was run out for four after being sent through by Cameron Green, and Harmer also had Alex Carey caught while reverse sweeping and Cooper Connolly caught behind for a two-ball duck.

How the match turned

South Africa made 329 in their first innings and 387 in their second, while Australia replied with 429 and a lead of 100 runs. The match swung back and forth across five days, and the hosts were still in control when the target was set. Australia's total of 111 came after a dismissal for 99 in Gqeberha.

South Africa, first innings329

Australia, first innings429

South Africa, second innings387

Australia, second innings111

South Africa, first innings

329 runs

Australia, first innings

429 runs

South Africa, second innings

387 runs

Australia, second innings

111 runs

Data from the article text

Series context

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, before South Africa won the second in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs. It was the first series between the two countries in South Africa since the 2018 Sandpapergate scandal. The Guardian reported that the win put South Africa back at the top of the Test rankings, while the New York Times said New Zealand moved ahead of Australia in the World Test Championship table, with South Africa second.

Reactions

Cummins said it was fair for Australia to ask questions after losing two Tests in a row, and that the side would ask the same questions internally.

“We lost two games in a row. I think it's fair to be asking questions and we'll be asking them internally as well.”

Cummins added that Australia needed to improve to return to the top of the rankings, and that the answer might be a change of style or of personnel. Harmer said the win was about handling the pressure of the fourth innings, and he described the conditions on the final day in terms of his own bowling.

“As a spinner, on a turning wicket, that's what dreams are made of.”

David Warner, a former Australia opener who retired from Test cricket in January 2024, criticised his former team-mates on Fox Sports.

“The batters have let the bowlers down all series.”

What comes next

Australia host New Zealand next, with four Tests at home starting in December. After that come a five-Test tour of India, a 150th anniversary Test against England in March, and the Ashes. South Africa's victory, according to BBC, confirmed their place among the best sides in the world.