South Africa produced a stunning turnaround to beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, levelling the series after losing the opener in Durban. The defeat was Australia’s first by an innings on South African soil in 56 years, with Temba Bavuma’s magnificent 179 laying the foundation for a remarkable home victory.
Australia had looked firmly in control after reducing South Africa to 110/6 in the first innings. The hosts, however, mounted a remarkable recovery, with Bavuma leading the fightback alongside Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer.
Bavuma scored 179 off 334 deliveries, striking 18 fours and a six, while Jansen counterattacked with 85 off 100 balls. Harmer added 82, and the pair shared a crucial 183-run partnership with Bavuma for the eighth wicket. South Africa eventually declared at 425/9, turning a precarious position into a commanding first-innings lead of 133 runs.
The Australian batting line-up then unravelled spectacularly. Marco Jansen claimed five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for just 99, their third-lowest Test total in South Africa. The collapse forced Australia to follow on, putting them under immense pressure to save the match.
Australia showed greater resistance in their second innings, largely through Travis Head, who scored a determined 121. Scott Boland contributed 40 from 166 balls, while Alex Carey remained unbeaten on 37. Their efforts delayed the inevitable, but South Africa’s bowlers kept finding breakthroughs.
Kagiso Rabada finished with 4/77, while Wiaan Mulder claimed three wickets as Australia were dismissed for 295. Jansen took the final wicket, completing a remarkable team performance that had appeared unlikely when South Africa were struggling at 110/6.
The result was only the fourth time South Africa had beaten Australia by an innings in Test cricket, and their first such victory over the visitors since 2016. It also continued a pattern of Australian struggles in Gqeberha, where they have not won a Test since 1997.
For Bavuma, the innings was a career-best Test score and a defining captain’s performance. South Africa’s ability to recover from a difficult position, then dismantle Australia twice, has transformed the series and set up a decisive final Test in Cape Town.
