South Africa beat Australia by an innings to set up Cape Town decider

South Africa levelled their Test series against Australia with victory by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha on Thursday, completing a comeback that leaves the teams facing a deciding match in Cape Town next week.

The hosts dismissed Australia for 295 in their second innings, following the tourists' first-innings collapse for 99. South Africa's 425 for nine declared proved enough to win without batting again, bringing the three-match series to 1–1.

Travis Head's 121 from 190 balls gave Australia a chance of saving the game. Nightwatcher Scott Boland also held up the bowlers, making 40 from 166 deliveries, while Alex Carey finished unbeaten on 37.

Wiaan Mulder broke through the resistance. His three wickets were Head, Boland and captain Pat Cummins, and he finished with three for 64. Kagiso Rabada took four for 77 before Marco Jansen removed Josh Hazlewood to end the match in the final session.

South Africa had needed six wickets on the last day, but rain wiped out the morning session and cut the time available. Australia could still hope to escape with a draw until the home attack worked through the remaining batters as the light faded.

The result completed a reversal from South Africa's own difficulties earlier in the match. They had been 110 for six before captain Temba Bavuma's 179 and Jansen's 85 helped establish the substantial first-innings advantage.

The bowling effort also came with Anrich Nortje restricted to just 21 deliveries in the Test because of a groin problem.

Australia won the opening match in Durban by 214 runs. That advantage has now disappeared, with the series to be settled at Newlands from Tuesday, 27 October.

Sources

• Cricket Australia: second Test match report
• BBC Sport via Yahoo: South Africa complete win (2026-10-22)