South Africa produced a commanding performance at Newlands in Cape Town, with veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer delivering a match-winning spell to help the Proteas defeat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test and clinch the series 2-1. Harmer’s remarkable bowling performance on the deteriorating surface proved too much for Australia’s batting line-up, while Kagiso Rabada provided the perfect support with his pace and aggression.
The victory was particularly significant for South Africa, who bounced back after losing the opening Test in Durban. Their response across the remaining two matches demonstrated resilience, tactical discipline and the ability to exploit home conditions when the pressure was at its highest.
Simon Harmer destroys Australia’s batting line-up
Australia began the final innings needing 288 runs to win the Test and take the series. However, the chase quickly turned into a nightmare as South Africa’s bowlers attacked from the outset.
Rabada struck immediately, removing Matt Renshaw for a duck before trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw. Travis Head also fell to Rabada after making 14, leaving Australia struggling at 22/3. The pressure intensified when Josh Inglis was run out for four.
Harmer then took centre stage. Exploiting the rough patches and sharp turn available on the Newlands pitch, the experienced spinner repeatedly troubled Australia’s right-handed batters.
He finished with sensational figures of 6/16, his career-best performance in the innings. Harmer’s spell dismantled the middle and lower order, including the dismissal of Australian captain Pat Cummins, who was dismissed for 11 after facing 90 deliveries.
Australia were eventually bowled out for just 111, handing South Africa a comprehensive victory.
WORLD No.1 SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa beat Australia to win the series 2-1 and claim the top position in Test Rankings.
Simon Harmer was a treat to watch today. His 6-fer was a masterclass in spin bowling. pic.twitter.com/EpGoLpNdeA— Saurav Trivedi (@Auravauraa) October 31, 2026
Kagiso Rabada reaches historic Test milestone
While Harmer dominated with spin, Rabada ensured Australia never found their footing during the chase. His early breakthroughs removed key batters and gave South Africa the momentum they needed to attack relentlessly.
Rabada also reached a major personal milestone, claiming his 350th Test wicket. He achieved the landmark in 13,808 deliveries, becoming the fastest bowler to reach the mark by balls bowled, surpassing the previous benchmarks set by South African great Dale Steyn and Pakistan’s Waqar Younis.
The combination of Rabada’s pace and Harmer’s accuracy proved decisive. Australia were unable to build a meaningful partnership, and every attempt to stabilise the innings was met with another probing spell from the hosts.
The deteriorating pitch offered increasing assistance to Harmer, who varied his pace and line to force the Australian batters into difficult decisions. Rather than simply defending their target, South Africa kept attacking until the final wicket fell.
South Africa’s batters set up the win
The victory was built on South Africa’s efforts across four innings, rather than just the final-day bowling display.
South Africa scored 329 in their first innings, but Australia responded with 429 to take a 100-run lead. That advantage could have put the hosts under serious pressure, yet South Africa responded strongly in their second innings.
They scored 387, setting Australia a target of 288 for victory. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder were important contributors during the second-innings effort, with both recording centuries earlier in the match according to reports ahead of the final day’s play. Their contributions helped South Africa establish a target that became increasingly difficult to chase as the surface deteriorated.
The Proteas’ ability to recover after conceding a first-innings lead was a defining feature of the contest. Their batters ensured the bowlers had enough runs to attack, while the pace-spin combination then made full use of the conditions.
Also WATCH: Kagiso Rabada rattles Australia with double strike in the first over on Day 5 of SA vs AUS Cape Town Test
South Africa win the series 2-1
The result completed an impressive turnaround for the Proteas. Australia had won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, putting themselves in a strong position early in the series. South Africa responded by winning the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs before completing another convincing victory in Cape Town.
Winning two consecutive Tests against Australia will give South Africa considerable confidence. The team showed that it could adapt to different match situations, recover from setbacks and deliver when the series was on the line.
The victory also carried major significance in the ICC Test rankings. South Africa rose to the top of the Test world rankings for the first time since January 2016, underlining the importance of their series triumph.
