Bavuma's 179 drives the Proteas to an innings win over Australia
The captain's career-best score and Marco Jansen's five wickets level the series 1-1 before the Newlands decider.
By SitesNG Sports Desk · · 2 min read
Temba Bavuma played the innings of his life at St George's Park. The South Africa captain made a career-best 179 as the Proteas beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test, which ended late on day five, Thursday 22 October 2026. The three-Test series is level at 1-1.
From 12 for 2 to 425 for 9
Bavuma walked in at 12 for 2 and batted for more than nine hours, facing 334 balls. With South Africa in trouble at 110 for 6, he added 132 with Marco Jansen (85) and a record 183 for the eighth wicket with Simon Harmer (82). South Africa declared on 425 for 9.
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“I take a lot of pride in that.”
Temba Bavuma
Jansen and Rabada finish the job
Jansen then took 5 for 33 as Australia were bowled out for 99, and Bavuma enforced the follow-on with a lead of 326. Travis Head fought back with 121, but Kagiso Rabada (4 for 77) and Wiaan Mulder (3 for 64) bowled Australia out for 295.
Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, so the series will be decided in Cape Town. Read about the game at home on our cricket in Nigeria page.
Reporting by the SitesNG Sports Desk, based on reports from SuperSport, Daily Maverick, ICC, eNCA. Published 22 October 2026 in the African Sports News weekly edition of 23 October 2026.
