Temba Bavuma stands tall with 179 as South Africa turn the tables on Australia on Day 3

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma produced a career-best 179 and led a remarkable recovery against Australia to lift the hosts from 110 for six to 425 for nine declared on the third day of the second Test at St George’s Park on Tuesday.

Australia lost opener Nic Maddinson in the first over of their reply, with Kagiso Rabada striking on his return to the side after a five-month lay-off with a hamstring injury. The visitors hit the stumps at 3 for one, with Travis Head not out on one and nightwatchman Scott Boland on two.

SA vs. AUS, 3rd Test Day 3: Highlights | Scorecard

Bavum’s innings changed the match after South Africa resumed at 97 for five after enduring two rain-affected days in which only 43 overs were played. Under sunny skies and on a flat pitch, the skipper combined patience with timely attacking strikes to steer his side from a precarious position and give them a chance to respond to last week’s 214-run defeat in Durban.

179 was Bavuma’s highest Test score and had two record partnerships. He first added 132 runs with Marc Jansen for the seventh wicket, breaking a South African record that had stood since 1896. Later, his stand with Simon Harmer produced 183 runs for the eighth wicket, the highest such partnership for South Africa in Test cricket.

Jansen scored 85 while Harmer hit a career-best 82 as the lower order turned a potential collapse into a formidable total.

BAVUMA ANCHORS THE RECOVERY

South Africa’s morning session began with another setback as Wiaan Mulder fell for 13. Mitchell Starc, who reached 450 Test wickets with the dismissal, got Mulder to duck a short delivery which he tucked behind Matt Renshaw at slip. The decision was upheld after review.

Jansen joined Bavuma with South Africa still under pressure but the pair gradually pushed the pace. Bavuma held his end together while Jansen attacked to prevent the Australian bowlers from settling into a rhythm.

Bavuma brought up his century from 226 balls, reflecting the patience required on a surface where the captain says the batsmen are not always settled. His ability to stay at the crease for extended periods proved crucial as South Africa rebuilt their innings.

The partnership ended shortly after Australia took the second new ball. Boland hit Jansen on the lower back with his first delivery and after treatment the all-rounder was dismissed four balls later when he caught Head at mid-wicket.

Still, Jansen’s 85 gave South Africa the platform they needed.

HARMER TAKES SOUTH AFRICA HIGHER

Harmer joined Bavuma and continued his recovery with an innings of 82, his highest score in Test cricket. The pair added 183 runs, setting a new South African record for the eighth wicket in Tests.

Harmer looked capable of reaching his maiden Test century before being bowled at part-time by left-arm spinner Marnus Labuschagne as he chased more runs in the fading light.

Bavuma fell on the next delivery and edged Starce with keeper Alex Carey. South Africa declared at 425 for nine, ending their innings with only a handful of overs left in the day.

Boland finished with figures of five for 81, taking his third career five-wicket haul and his first outside Australia. Starc also reached a major milestone with his 450th Test wicket, but South Africa’s lower resilience ensured the visitors could not take full advantage of their early dominance.

RABADA OFFENDS ON RETURN

South Africa’s declaration gave Rabada an opportunity to make an immediate impact after his long absence. The fast bowler needed just four deliveries to dismiss Maddinson, who tried to drive a full length ball and bowled it to Harmer at third slip.

However, Rabada was restricted to one over as the light deteriorated. Three more overs followed before the umpires called stumps, leaving Australia at three for one.

South Africa’s position changed dramatically during the day. What started with the hosts struggling to 97 for five ended with a total of 425 for nine and an early breakthrough against Australia’s top order.

Bavum’s innings, supported by Jansen and Harmer, gave South Africa a platform to fight back after a heavy defeat in the first Test. With Australia already a wicket down, the hosts will be looking to build on that momentum as they look to keep the series alive.

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