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Bavuma’s 179 puts South Africa back in the second Test
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 on day three of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.
His career-best innings helped South Africa recover from 110-6 and declare at 425-9.
Partnerships with Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer added 315 runs, including a South African record for the eighth wicket.
South Africa had lost the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, so the strong batting display gave them a chance to level the series.
Kagiso Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson in Australia's first over, and Australia ended the day at 3-1, still 422 runs behind.
Rain had limited play on the first two days, leaving South Africa little time to force a win.
The teams have two days left in Gqeberha, before the series finale in Cape Town.
Temba Bavuma scored a career-best 179 as South Africa declared at 425-9 on day three of the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha.
South Africa had been 110-6 before Bavuma helped rebuild the innings with partnerships of 132 with Marco Jansen and 183 with Simon Harmer.
Kagiso Rabada took Nic Maddinson’s wicket in Australia’s reply, leaving the visitors 3-1 at stumps.
South Africa had lost the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and the result in Gqeberha kept the series alive ahead of the final Test in Cape Town.
- Who
- South Africa captain Temba Bavuma and the South African and Australian Test teams.
- What
- Bavuma scored 179 as South Africa declared at 425-9. Australia were 3-1 at stumps in reply.
- When
- Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the third day of the second Test.
- Where
- St George’s Park in Gqeberha, South Africa.
- Why
- Bavuma’s innings helped South Africa recover from 110-6 and put the hosts in a stronger position in the series.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bavuma came to the crease with South Africa at 12-2.
Rain limited play to about 42 overs.
South Africa resumed at 97-5 and later slipped to 110-6.
Bavuma and Jansen added 132 runs, then Bavuma and Harmer added 183.
South Africa declared at 425-9, and Rabada dismissed Maddinson in Australia’s reply.
- Bavuma’s score
- 179, his highest Test score
- South Africa’s declaration
- 425-9
- Jansen partnership
- 132 runs for the seventh wicket
- Harmer partnership
- 183 runs for the eighth wicket
- Australia at stumps
- 3-1, trailing by 422 runs
- Venue
- St George’s Park, Gqeberha
6 sources
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What people are saying
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