Proteas beat Australia at Newlands to win Test series 2-1

South Africa has won the third Test against Australia after dominating with the bat and ball.

The home team surged on days 4 and 5 to claim crucial points in the World Test Championship.

Here’s how the Test unfolded day by day as the Proteas beat Australia at Newlands on 31 October.

How THE THIRD TEST UNFOLDED

Day 1

South Africa started on the front foot with Aiden Markram and Marques Ackerman.

They put on 158 runs for the opening partnership, with Ackerman falling just short of a debut century.

David Bedingham contributed a handy 50, but things soon went downhill, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

Apart from Ryan Rickelton’s 42 and Marco Jansen’s 52, no other Proteas batsman reached double figures.

South Africa were eventually bowled out for 329 at the close of the first day.

Mitchell Starc gave a reminder of his fearsome bowling with a six-wicket haul, conceding just 72.

Day 2

In reply, Australia lost Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne early in their first innings.

Matt Renshaw and Cameron Green stabilised the innings with a superb 126-run partnership.

The responsibility then fell to John Inglis and Alex Carey, who were unbeaten at the close of play.

Australia ended their day on 330/4, having just taken the lead.

Simon Harmer and Jansen did the damage with the ball, taking 2 wickets apiece.

Day 3

Inglis was dismissed early in the day as Harmer found grip and turn in the pitch.

Carey fell a few overs later, and the rest of the batting lineup was soon to follow.

As the Proteas bowlers began firing, Australia were eventually bowled out for 429.

Harmer was the pick of the bowling attack with 4 important wickets.

South Africa then returned to the batting crease, chasing down a 100-run deficit.

Things took a turn in the final session, as Starc dismissed Markram and Ackerman.

Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon also got in on the action with 1 wicket each.

The Proteas ended on 140/4, with Matthew Breetzke and Rickelton needing to survive.

350 Test Wickets For Rabada! 😤

Another monumental milestone for one of South Africa’s finest! 🇿🇦

Kagiso Rabada reaches the incredible 350-wicket mark in Test cricket, further cementing his place among the very best to wear the badge! 👑

A relentless competitor, a world-class… pic.twitter.com/zf1ZDOHngQ

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)

October 31, 2026

Day 4

The Proteas managed to steady the ship despite losing Breetzke for 43.

Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder rooted themselves at the crease for most of the day.

Their partnership contributed 154 vital runs to keep South Africa in the hunt.

Rickelton was eventually run out for 101, with the lower order looking to swing for the fences.

Jansen fell for a duck, and Harmer and Gerald Coetzee contributed 1 run each.

The Proteas were eventually all out for 387, with Mulder’s 115 the top score.

Australia were then left to start the last day fresh, needing 288 to win.

Day 5

With the series at stake, Rabada tore into the Australian top order.

He returned to form by dismissing Head, Renshaw, and Labuschagne within the first 7 overs.

Cameron Green’s promising 27 ended when Harmer beat him with flight and turn.

Wickets continued falling rapidly as South Africa turned up the pressure.

Cummins and Lyon were eventually left at the crease, with their country on 63 for 8.

The Australian skipper hung around for 90 balls, but the writing was on the wall.

Lyon fell a few deliveries later to seal a 176-run win for South Africa.

The Proteas have also closed the gap on Australia and New Zealand in the WTC table.

SINCE THE PROTEAS BEAT AUSTRALIA, WILL THESE TEAMS PLAY IN THE WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL?

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