Sports · Cricket · 2 hrs ago
Australia chase 288 against South Africa in decisive Cape Town Test
Australia need 288 runs to beat South Africa on the fifth and final day of the third Test in Cape Town.
South Africa set the target after Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder each scored a century on day four.
South Africa need 10 wickets to win, while Australia must chase the target to take the match.
The pitch offers turn, which could make batting difficult, but the weather is fine and a draw is considered unlikely.
The winner takes the series, and a win would keep Australia first in the World Test Championship rankings; defeat would drop them to third, while a draw would leave them second.
Marnus Labuschagne is also under pressure: another low score could cost him his place in Australia’s team for the summer.
Australia have four Tests against New Zealand and a five-Test tour of India ahead, followed by a 150th anniversary Test against England in March next year.
Australia need to score 288 runs to beat South Africa in the decisive third Test in Cape Town.
South Africa set the target after Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries on the fourth day.
The fifth day offers Australia a chance to win and South Africa a chance to take all 10 wickets.
The pitch is offering spin, though it has not yet significantly broken up.
A win would keep Australia atop the World Test Championship rankings, while a defeat would drop them to third, according to Fox Cricket.
- Who
- Australia and South Africa are contesting the third men’s Test.
- What
- Australia are chasing 288 runs to win the match and the series.
- When
- The fifth day of the Test, on 31 October 2026.
- Where
- Cape Town, South Africa.
- Why
- The match is the deciding third Test, with the series winner to be determined by the result.
Australia
South Africa
Match outcome
Australia
Australia must chase 288 runs to win.
South Africa
South Africa must take 10 wickets to win.
Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder scored centuries as South Africa turned a lead of 40 into a target of 288 for Australia.
Australia began the chase of 288 in the deciding third Test at Cape Town.
- Target
- 288 runs
- Venue
- Cape Town
- Test
- Third men’s Test
- South African centurions
- Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder
- Australia’s required wickets
- South Africa need 10 wickets to win
3 sources
What people are saying
He needs (an) innings of context
If Australia was to go close or even reach the target, if he plays an innings of significance in the chase, then his career is revived, so that is the key.
I mean, it could be 50 or 60 on a turning pitch, it doesn’t necessarily have to be 100 if Australia get there.
Posts on X
Tell the world: it’ll end in a tie. #SAvAUS @SEN_Cricket @Final_Word_Pod @1116sen