South Africa have set things up brilliantly for the series finale in Cape Town with a thumping win in Gqeberha. After only 43 overs were possible on the first two days of the Test, captain Temba Bavuma batted big on the third day, slamming 179 and rescuing his side from 110-6 to take them to 425-9 declared. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer played crucial knocks from the lower order, scoring respective eighties.

They invited Australia to bat in the third session on the third day, and the move paid dividends as Nic Maddinson fell in the first over. Australia capitulated on day four, going from 65-4 to 99 all out, with Jansen taking a five-for to add to his half century. South Africa invited the visitors to follow on, who lost three quick wickets towards the end of the day to finish at 150-4 and leave themselves a mountain to climb on the last day to save the Test.

Travis Head led the Australian fightback, scoring a century but chopped one onto his stumps to trigger a slide that the visitors couldn’t recover from. They were eventually bowled out for 295 to lose by an innings and 31 runs.

Updated WTC 2025-27 points table after South Africa beat Australia to level the series

South Africa remained third in the WTC standings with the win, while Australia are still at the top. But standings will change if the hosts win the series in Cape Town.