South Africa’s Bowlers Break Australia’s Grip

South Africa bowled Australia out for 295 on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, winning the second Test by an innings and 31 runs to level the series at 1-1. At St George's Park, the pace attack finished the job in the last session: Wiaan Mulder took three of the final four wickets, while Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen claimed the others. Australia’s innings ended under the pressure of a match South Africa had seized control of after being bowled out for 99 in the first innings.

The Match Turned on the Bat and Ball

South Africa stood at 110-6 when play resumed on the morning of the third day. Captain Temba Bavuma then struck a career-best 179, and Jansen added a rapid 85, as the hosts recovered to declare at 425-9 late on day three. Australia fell for 99 and had to follow on.

Rain shaped the contest, washing out much of the first two days and wiping out Thursday morning’s session. South Africa nevertheless wrapped up the match before looming bad weather could halt play. Australia resumed on 156-4, with Travis Head unbeaten on 87 overnight.

Head reached his 13th Test century from 151 balls, hitting 12 boundaries on his way to 121 from 190 balls. It was his second Test hundred outside Australia. After South Africa had attacked for almost 90 minutes without success, Mulder beat Head with a rising delivery that he chopped onto his stumps.

Steve Smith had a neck problem in the first innings on Wednesday and came in at No. 7, three places below his usual position. He made three before he mis-hit a delivery from Rabada. Matthew Breetzke juggled the catch at midwicket, then held on at his second attempt.

The Pace Attack Closes the Door

Boland, the nightwatchman, made a Test-high 40 from 166 balls and reached tea alongside Alex Carey. Mulder bowled Boland through the gate soon after the interval, then clean-bowled Australian captain Pat Cummins for four in the next over.

Rabada came back as dark clouds gathered and bowled Mitchell Starc for 11. Jansen finished the innings by having Josh Hazlewood caught in the slips with the first ball he faced. Carey was 37 not out.

Rabada took 4-77 on his return from a lengthy injury layoff, and Mulder claimed 3-64. Rabada and Jansen each finished with six wickets in the match. South Africa had also lost Anrich Nortje to a suspected groin injury in his fourth over; he didn't bowl for the rest of Australia’s second innings.

Captains Name the Contest

Bavuma, named player of the match, said South Africa stayed patient through the rain delays. “When we were batting it was all about how we could extend the innings and keep on batting another hour, then another session, keep (the Australia bowlers) on their feet because that has an affect. With the ball, we were as ruthless as we could be.”

He described the team’s method this way: “Our team goes about playing good old test cricket, wear down the opposition and then take them down when the opportunity presents itself.” Speaking to SuperSport, he said: “They made us work hard for those final six wickets, but there's a great feeling in the changing room right now.”

South Africa lost the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. The final Test at Newlands in Cape Town starts on Tuesday, with the series level. Cummins gave a blunt assessment of Australia’s performance: “A long way from our best. A reverse of last week. They played well.” He added: “There was some good fight today. Boland and Trav played their roles. But (99) was a fair way to come back from.”