South Africa were left fighting for survival in the third Test against Australia after captain Temba Bavuma was dismissed shortly before the close of play on day three in Cape Town.
The Proteas ended Thursday on 140/4 in their second innings, holding an advantage of only 40 runs. Matthew Breetzke was unbeaten on 19, while Ryan Rickelton had reached eight not out when the players left the field.
That leaves South Africa with a demanding final day ahead. The hosts must first build a sizeable enough lead to give their bowlers something to defend, while Australia will know that another early burst could expose the lower order and bring the match firmly within their reach.
Australia’s lower order turns the screw
Australia resumed the day with a one-run lead and immediately benefited from the substantial partnership built by Josh Inglis and Alex Carey. The pair had added 185 runs for the fifth wicket overnight, putting the tourists in a strong position after South Africa had struggled to make a breakthrough.
Once Inglis and Carey were removed, however, the Proteas finally found a way to regain control. South Africa claimed the last five Australian wickets for 59 runs, ending the visitors’ first innings at 429. Australia still walked away with a 100-run advantage, a margin that has placed the home side under pressure in the second innings.
| Match position | Score or contribution |
|---|---|
| Australia first innings | 429 all out |
| Australia’s first-innings advantage | 100 runs |
| South Africa at stumps | 140/4 |
| South Africa’s lead | 40 runs |
Harmer provides the breakthrough
Simon Harmer was the chief architect of the Australian collapse. The spinner dismissed both Inglis and Carey on his way to 4/104, giving South Africa the opening they needed after the overnight resistance threatened to run away from them.
Marco Jansen also played a key role with the ball, finishing with 3/60. Their efforts prevented Australia from stretching its lead even further, although the tourists had already done enough to make the Proteas’ second innings a test of concentration and character.
Bavuma’s resistance ends
South Africa’s reply began positively through opening batter Marques Ackerman, who made 62 from 80 balls. But the innings lost momentum during the evening session as the hosts slipped to 95/3.
Bavuma then tried to anchor the response. He faced 115 balls for his 31, absorbing pressure as he attempted to stabilise the innings and keep South Africa’s prospects alive. His dismissal by spinner Nathan Lyon, bowled just before stumps, was a major blow because it removed the batter who had spent the longest period resisting Australia’s attack.
“multi-city bid”
With Breetzke and Rickelton still together, South Africa retain a foothold in the match. The pair will need to extend their partnership substantially when play resumes, with the side’s remaining batting resources including Wiaan Mulder, Jansen and Harmer. Harmer’s ability to contribute with the bat has repeatedly been valuable, but the Proteas will need more than individual resistance if they are to turn the contest around.
- Breetzke and Rickelton are the unbeaten batters at the crease.
- Bavuma’s 31 came from 115 deliveries before Lyon dismissed him.
- Harmer and Jansen led South Africa’s attack during Australia’s collapse.
South Africa revived its series hopes by winning the second Test in Gqeberha last week. The Cape Town decider now demands an even greater effort. The hosts are not out of the contest, but the route to victory has narrowed sharply: survive the early pressure, add enough runs to create a meaningful target and then rely on the bowlers who dragged them back into the game late in Australia’s innings.
