South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in second Test
Temba Bavuma's 179 and South Africa's bowling attack combined to inflict Australia's first innings defeat in South Africa for 56 years.
South Africa defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha on Thursday. Temba Bavuma scored 179 as South Africa declared at 425 for 9 after being 110 for 6. Australia were then bowled out for 99 in their first innings and 295 in the follow-on.
Marco Jansen took five wickets in Australia's first innings while Kagiso Rabada claimed four in the second. Travis Head scored 121 in Australia's second innings before Wiaan Mulder dismissed him. Scott Boland survived 166 balls as nightwatcher before falling to Jansen.
The result levels the five-match series at 1-1 ahead of the decider in Cape Town. South Africa improved their position in the World Test Championship 2025-27 table while Australia remain on top.
CricHubb Take
Bavuma's innings at 36 years and 154 days old demonstrates that experience can still dominate against a pace attack that had earlier reduced South Africa to 110 for 6. The result shows that a single substantial partnership can shift the momentum of an entire series when conditions offer assistance to bowlers.