South Africa secured a 2-1 victory in their three-match Test series against Australia with a commanding 176-run win in the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday. The series marked the first contest between the two teams on South African soil since the 2018 “Sandpapergate” scandal.

Chasing a target of 288 runs in the fourth innings, Australia fell short as their batting lineup collapsed on a challenging fifth-day pitch. South African off-spinner Simon Harmer was the standout performer, recording career-best figures of 6 for 16 in 21.1 overs during Australia’s final innings. Harmer, 37, concluded the match with a ten-wicket haul—the first of his Test career—ending with match figures of 10 for 120. His efforts were instrumental in dismantling Australia’s batting order, which was reduced to 111 runs before tea on the final day.

Kagiso Rabada also played a key role in South Africa’s bowling attack, taking 3 for 39 on the last day and reaching the milestone of 350 career Test wickets. Rabada triggered a swift collapse early in Australia’s innings by taking three of the top four wickets in a devastating opening spell, including dismissing Matt Renshaw, Australia’s leading scorer in the series, with the first ball of the day. Josh Inglis was run out shortly after, and Harmer quickly took two wickets in three balls, driving Australia to a precarious position at 42 for six. By lunch, they had slipped to 60 for seven.

The match was tightly contested over five days. South Africa posted 329 runs in their first innings, while Australia responded strongly with 429 to gain a 100-run advantage. The Proteas then added 387 runs in their second innings, setting Australia a challenging target. Despite early resistance from some Australian batsmen, South Africa’s bowlers applied consistent pressure, ultimately securing the win before tea on the final day.

The victory allowed South Africa, the reigning World Test champions, to assert themselves in the international rankings and marked a significant comeback after losing the first Test of the series. The series also highlighted the competitive nature of the contests, with all three matches producing results on the final day. South Africa’s blend of experienced bowling and resilient batting played a crucial role in their series triumph over a strong Australian side.