Simon Harmer delivered a stunning 6 for 16 in 21.1 overs while Kagiso Rabada tore through the top order with 3 for 39 as South Africa bowled out Australia for a meagre 111 in their second innings to seal a 176-run victory in the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town on 31 October 2026. The result hands South Africa a 2-1 series triumph and restores them to the No. 1 position in the ICC Test team rankings, displacing Australia.

Rabada Sets the Stage

Kagiso Rabada struck with a devastating opening burst on the final morning, claiming 3 wickets for just 14 runs in five overs to leave Australia reeling at 60 for 7 at lunch. He first dismissed Matthew Renshaw for a golden duck before trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw for 2. Rabada then removed Travis Head for 16, a dismissal that also brought up his 350th Test wicket — a significant personal milestone. Josh Inglis, who had struck a century in Australia's first innings, was then run out for 4 following a miscommunication with Cameron Green, compounding the visitors' misery.

Harmer Takes Charge

Off-spinner Simon Harmer then dismantled the lower order with clinical precision. He dismissed Alex Carey for 6 after the wicketkeeper attempted an ill-judged reverse sweep, before removing Beau Webster for a duck, caught behind. Green and Nathan Lyon offered brief resistance with a fighting partnership after Australia had lost seven wickets in the first session, but Harmer broke the stand by bowling Green for 27 off 110 deliveries. Australia captain Pat Cummins attempted to extend the contest alongside Lyon, but Harmer trapped him lbw for 10 in the 54th over. The off-spinner completed South Africa's victory in his next over by bowling Josh Hazlewood for a duck, finishing with extraordinary figures of 6 for 16.

The Platform: Rickelton and Mulder's Match-Winning Tons

South Africa's second-innings batting effort on Day 4 had set up the victory. Resuming at 140 for 4, the hosts were revived by Ryan Rickelton, who made 101 off 219 deliveries, and Wiaan Mulder, who struck 115 off 221 balls. The pair forged a crucial 154-run sixth-wicket partnership to propel South Africa to 387 all out in 134.4 overs, setting Australia a target of 288. Mitchell Starc was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 3 for 65.

Series Story and Rankings Significance

The three-match series was a genuine contest from the outset. Australia had won the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs, before South Africa levelled emphatically with an innings and 31-run victory in the second match at Gqeberha. The Cape Town decider, however, was South Africa's most complete performance — their bowlers completing in one session what their batters had taken two days to construct. Notably, South Africa's first-innings total of 329 was overhauled by Australia's 429, yet the hosts still found a way to win, underlining the depth and resilience of this South African side.

Brief Scores

South Africa 329 & 387 all out in 134.4 overs (Wiaan Mulder 115, Ryan Rickelton 101; Mitchell Starc 3-65, Pat Cummins 2-71) beat Australia 429 & 111 all out in 57.1 overs (Nathan Lyon 33*, Cameron Green 27; Simon Harmer 6-16, Kagiso Rabada 3-39) by 176 runs.

With the series sealed and the top ranking restored, South Africa will now turn their attention to a demanding home schedule, while Australia face a reckoning over their batting frailties against quality spin on the subcontinent and beyond.