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Proteas beat Australia by 176 runs to win series

Published

South Africa bowled Australia out for 111, chasing 288, on the fifth day of the third test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday. The 2-1 series win lifts the Proteas above Australia to No 1 in the ICC test rankings.

Offspinner Simon Harmer took six for 16 in 21.1 overs, a career-best return for an innings. He finished with match figures of 10 for 120 and was man of the match. Kagiso Rabada took three early wickets, and Australian captain Pat Cummins said two wickets in the first over ended any chance of a chase.

Ryan Rickleton and Wiaan Mulder both made centuries for South Africa in the match. South African captain Temba Bavuma said the series win was a tribute to the character of the team. He said of the bowling attack: "It's been the backbone of our team".

Cummins said Australia are still a good side and that changes to the team were possible. He said: "We need to get better if we want to get back to No 1."

Key facts

Who
Pat Cummins (Australian captain); Temba Bavuma (South African captain); Kagiso Rabada (South African bowler who took three early wickets); Simon Harmer (South African offspinner, man of the match)
What
South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third test at Newlands, winning the series 2-1 and going past Australia to No 1 in the ICC test rankings. Australia were bowled out for 111 chasing 288, with Simon Harmer taking a career-best six for 16. Australian captain Pat Cummins said changes were possible.
When
31 October 2026
Where
Newlands, Cape Town, Darwin
Status
Final result

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