South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park, Gqeberha. The home side made a strong comeback in the three-match series after losing the first game by over 200 runs. After the win of the Proteas over the Aussies, we will take a look at the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-2027 table.

The win was an emphatic one, as at one stage the home side was struggling; after that, their captain, Temba Bavuma, led the side from the front and scored a magnificent hundred, helping the side to post a huge first innings total. The series has now been levelled at 1-1, with all to play for in the third Test in Cape Town.

Temba Bavuma the hero for South Africa

Australia won the toss and elected to bowl first in the second Test match. The Aussies brought in Scott Boland in place of Nathan Lyon. Once again, the Kangaroos were on top as they removed the top order of the Proteas early. The home side were struggling at 40/4 at one stage when their captain, Temba Bavuma, stood tall.

Temba Bavuma was excellent as he built a 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen for the 7th wicket. Jansen played a fighting knock of 85 runs off 100 balls and kept the Proteas in the game. Next, Simon Harmer stitched together 182 runs for the 8th wicket as the latter scored 82 runs. Bavuma was the 9th wicket to fall as he played a knock of 179 runs off 334 deliveries.

Australia's fightback ends in vain

Australia had a nightmare start as they kept on losing wickets, and they did not have someone like Temba Bavuma who could play a solid innings, as they were bundled out for 99 runs, with Marco Jansen picking up 5 wickets. They were forced to follow on by the home side, and Travis Head took charge and scored a brilliant 121 runs.

Marnus Labuschagne also played a solid 39 runs, but it was all from the night-watchman Scott Boland who fought his heart out and played a knock of 40 runs off 166 deliveries and frustrated the South African bowlers for both sessions of Day 5; however, he was dismissed by Wiaan Mulder with a brilliant ball.

After Boland’s wicket, the home side controlled the game and dismissed skipper Pat Cummins soon after. Then a lone fight from Alex Carey, who scored 37 runs as he did not get support as Aussies were bowled out for 295.

WTC table after South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test

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