South Africa Beat Australia by an Innings and 31 Runs as Bavuma Hits 179

Written by Shihaam Isaacs
South Africa sports betting writer
Published 22 October 2026

South Africa bounced back in emphatic style to level the three-match Test series against Australia, securing a commanding victory by an innings and 31 runs at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday.

After the hosts dropped the series opener in Durban, pressure was firmly on them to produce a response.

Captain Bavuma leads from the front

Skipper Temba Bavuma delivered a masterclass with the bat, anchoring the Proteas’ first innings with a brilliant 179 off 334 balls. Supported by Marco Jansen’s swift 85 and spinner Simon Harmer’s stubborn 82, South Africa posted a massive 425 for 9 declared.

Jansen and Rabada rattle the visitors

The Proteas’ pace attack proved ruthless in Gqeberha. Marco Jansen set the tone with a lethal haul of 5 for 33 in the first innings, forcing Australia to follow on after they were bundled out for just 99.

When Australia batted again, Kagiso Rabada (4 for 77) and Wiaan Mulder (3 for 64) broke the back of the visitors’ second-innings resistance, bowling Australia out for 295 despite a century from Travis Head (121).

Winner-takes-all at Newlands

With the series now locked at 1-1, both teams head to Cape Town for a winner-takes-all decider at Newlands, starting Tuesday, 27 October 2026.