Rain clears, pressure builds: Proteas must score big on day 3

Is 3 days enough for the Proteas to win or draw the second Test against Australia?

The rain-soaked match entered day 3 with South Africa on 97/5.

Temba Bavuma and Marco Jansen are currently anchoring the scoring effort.

Gqeberha Test resumes after heavy rain delays

Day 1 saw only 12.2 overs bowled, according to ESPN Cricinfo.

The Proteas were sent in to bat after a delayed start before play was abandoned.

South Africa ended the day on 20/2 after the loss of Aiden Markram and David Bedingham.

Scott Boland did the damage for Australia, claiming both wickets of the day.

Day 2 was also delayed, with the match officials conducting multiple inspections.

Australia bowled only around 31 overs in the late afternoon.

Marques Ackerman, Matthew Breetzke, and Ryan Rickleton were all dismissed in the day’s only session.

Boland claimed another 2 wickets, with Mitchell Starc getting in on the action too.

At lunch on day 3, Proteas captain Temba Bavuma is still at the crease on a hard-fought 76.

Marco Jansen has partnered him brilliantly, scoring a run-a-ball 72.

Wiaan Mulder was the only dismissal so far.

Lunch On Day 3! 🍜

A fantastic session for #TheProteas as Bavuma and Jansen brought up a century stand for the seventh wicket! 👏💥

South Africa head into the break on 216/6 after 72 overs. 🇿🇦#Unbreakable #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/WI2lrhVNtp

— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA)

October 20, 2026

Will we see a result in the second Test?

Cricinfo has reported that around 146 overs of play had been lost over the first 2 days.

Fortunately, weather forecasts suggest that days 3 to 5 should be dry.

This means that Australia are likely to continue with their pace attack.

Boland will be looking for a five-wicket haul, and Starc will want to claim a few more scalps.

The Proteas will need to weather the storm and must score big to keep the game alive.

For now, Bavuma and Jansen need to keep pushing towards a highly defensible total.

Australia are currently 1-0 up in the series, and a win at St George’s Park puts South Africa’s World Test Championship defence under threat.

CAN THE PROTEAS SCORE BIG AND WIN AT ST GEORGE’S PARK?

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