Proteas beat Australia by 176 runs at Newlands to win series 2-1
Simon Harmer took six for 16 and Kagiso Rabada reached 350 Test wickets as the Proteas bowled Australia out for 111 at Newlands, winning the series 2-1 and moving to No. 1 in Tests.
The Proteas beat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands on Saturday 31 October 2026, bowling them out for 111 chasing 288 to win the series 2-1 (AP News, ESPNcricinfo). The win also lifts South Africa above Australia to the top of the Test rankings (Sky Sports, cricket.com.au).
How did the Proteas win the Newlands Test?
Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the first over of the chase, removing Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne, and then had Travis Head caught at gully for his 350th Test wicket (Sky Sports). Sky Sports reports he is the quickest bowler to 350 Test wickets by balls bowled, getting there in 13,808 deliveries.
Off spinner Simon Harmer then took six for 16, including the last six wickets of the match, as Australia slid to 42 for 6 before midday and 60 for 7 at lunch (cricket.com.au, Sky Sports). Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon added 45 for the ninth wicket before Harmer finished it off, bowling Josh Hazlewood just before tea (Sky Sports, cricket.com.au). Harmer ended with match figures of 10 for 120, his first ten wicket haul in Tests (cricket.com.au, ESPNcricinfo).
What was the final scorecard?
| Team | 1st innings | 2nd innings |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 329 | 387 |
| Australia | 429 | 111 (target 288) |
Source: ESPNcricinfo.
| Bowler (Australia 2nd innings) | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simon Harmer | 21.1 | 16 | 6 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 14 | 39 | 3 |
Sources: ESPNcricinfo, cricket.com.au. The other wicket was a run out of Josh Inglis. Lyon top scored for Australia with 33 not out and Cameron Green made 27 (cricket.com.au).
How did South Africa come back from a 100 run deficit?
Australia led by 100 runs after the first innings. On day four, Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder both made centuries in a 154 run sixth wicket stand, pushing South Africa to 387 and setting the 288 target (Sky Sports). We covered the day four position and the target here.
How did the whole series go?
| Test | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Durban | Australia won by 214 runs |
| 2nd | Gqeberha | South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs |
| 3rd | Cape Town (Newlands) | South Africa won by 176 runs |
Source: Sky Sports.
AP notes the Proteas came back from 1-0 down in the series (AP News). For Australia it was a fourth defeat in their last seven Tests and the first time in three and a half years they have lost consecutive Tests (cricket.com.au).
FAQ
Who won the third Test between South Africa and Australia?
South Africa won by 176 runs at Newlands on 31 October 2026, bowling Australia out for 111 chasing 288.
What was the final series score?
South Africa won the three match series 2-1 after losing the first Test in Durban and winning in Gqeberha and Cape Town.
Who was the best bowler on day five?
Simon Harmer took six for 16 and finished with match figures of 10 for 120, while Kagiso Rabada took three for 39 and reached 350 Test wickets.
