Simon Harmer and Rabada dismantle Australia in Cape Town; South Africa will win the series 2-1

South Africans celebrate the wicket of Australia’s Matt Renshaw during day five of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, South Africa, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026. (AP Photo) South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday to win the three-match series 2-1. Off-spinner Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-16, while Kagiso Rabada became the fastest bowler to take 350 Test wickets.Chasing a target of 288, Australia were bowled out for 111 in the second over on the final day. The result also put South Africa above Australia at the top of the Test world rankings for the first time since January 2016.The Proteas rallied from 1-0 down in the first Test series between the teams in South Africa since the ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal in 2018. Australia won the first Test at Durban by 214 runs and South Africa won the second Test at Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.Australia’s hopes of completing the chase suffered an early setback when they lost two wickets in the first over. Rabada struck with the new ball, removing the top three batsmen to leave the visitors 62/8 in the match. Harmer then took charge and took all of the last six wickets to finish with figures of 6-16 in 21.1 overs. He finished the match with 10 wickets for 120 runs, his first 10 wicket haul in Test cricket.Rabada finished with 3-39 in the second innings to reach the 350-wicket mark in 13,808 deliveries. He became the fastest bowler to reach the milestone in balls, surpassing South Africa’s Dale Steyn (14,719) and Pakistan’s Waqar Younis (14,905).Rabada dismissed opener Matt Renshaw for a duck and wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton took a leg catch. He then trapped Marnus Labuschagne (4) leg before wicket in the same over before Marco Jansen caught Travis Head at gully to leave Australia in trouble.First-innings centurion Josh Inglis was run out for four when he attempted a quick single, adding to Australia’s woes. Harmer then took the remaining wickets.Nathan Lyon was Australia’s top scorer, remaining unbeaten on 33. He and captain Pat Cummins, who scored 11 off 90 balls, added 45 runs for the ninth wicket, the highest partnership in the innings. The stand lasted 17.2 overs before Harmer dismissed Cummins leg before wicket and bowled Josh Hazlewood to seal victory.

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Share an opinionThe partnership also helped Australia avoid being bowled out for less than 100 in consecutive Tests, which last happened during the 1936-37 Ashes. Cameron Green was the only batsman among Australia’s top eight to face at least 30 deliveries, scoring 27 off 110 balls.The defeat is likely to raise questions about Australia’s batting and their decision to bowl on the first morning, which left them on a worn pitch in the fourth innings.The win also keeps South Africa’s hopes of defending their World Test Championship title alive. They beat Australia in the previous WTC final at Lord’s in 2025.