South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs in the third and deciding Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday, October 31, winning the series 2-1 and replacing Australia as the world's top-ranked Test team.
Harmer runs through Australia
Set 288 to win, Australia collapsed to 111 all out. Off-spinner Simon Harmer took 6-16, the best figures of his career, and finished with 10-120 in the match, his first ten-wicket haul in Tests. The 37-year-old was named player of the match.
He became the first South African spinner to take ten wickets in a Test against Australia since 1952.
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada did early damage, taking two wickets in the first over of the chase. He finished with three on the day and reached 350 Test wickets in the process, joining South Africa's greatest fast bowlers.
How the series turned
Australia started strongly, winning the first Test in Durban by 214 runs. South Africa hit back in Gqeberha with victory by an innings and 31 runs, then completed the comeback in Cape Town.
It was Australia's first Test series defeat since March 2023.
Why it matters
Beating Australia is always special for South Africa, and this result carries extra weight. The Proteas won the World Test Championship final in 2025, beating Australia at Lord's, and now have both the title and the No 1 ranking.
For Australia, the defeat raises questions about their batting against spin. Collapses for low totals in the fourth innings on turning pitches have been a recurring weakness, and Harmer exploited it ruthlessly.
The result also strengthens South Africa's position in the current World Test Championship cycle, where every series win brings valuable points.
What's next
South Africa will hope to build on the momentum in their next Test assignments, while Australia's selectors face difficult decisions as they look to bounce back.
Sources and references
- 1.South Africa hammer Australia as Harmer takes career best bowling of 6-16 — Al Jazeera
- 2.Proteas win Newlands decider to take series and soar to top of Test rankings — Sky Sports
- 3.Harmer shines as South Africa wins 3rd cricket test against Australia to claim series 2-1 — Associated Press via WRAL
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