South Africa vs. Australia Third Test: Proteas Win by 176 Runs

Updated November 1, 2026, following the completed match on October 31. South Africa won the third and final men's Test at Newlands in Cape Town by 176 runs, securing the series 2–1. Australia, chasing 288, was bowled out for 111 on the fifth day. Cricket Australia's final-day report and the ICC's match report confirm the result. The earlier day-three position of South Africa 140/4, leading by 40, has been superseded by the completed scorecard.

South Africa vs. Australia third Test: final scoreboard

The ICC scorecard records all four completed innings. Australia had a 100-run first-innings advantage, but South Africa's 387 in the second innings produced an overall lead of 287 and therefore a winning target of 288. Australia's final 111 left it 176 runs short of South Africa's aggregate, establishing the official victory margin.

How South Africa won on the final day

Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the opening over of Australia's chase, removing Matthew Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne. He then dismissed Travis Head, who became his 350th Test wicket, as the visitors slipped to 22/3. Josh Inglis was subsequently run out, further weakening the batting lineup. The ICC's October 31 report documents those early breakthroughs and the pressure they placed on the chase.

Simon Harmer then took control. His 6/16 from 21.1 overs, alongside Rabada's 3/39, finished Australia's innings before tea. Nathan Lyon was unbeaten on 33, the team's highest score, while Cameron Green made 27. Cricket Australia's completed match report confirms those figures. Harmer ended with 10/120 for the match and received the Player of the Match award; Jansen was named Player of the Series.

Rickelton and Mulder turned a 40-run lead into a target of 288

South Africa resumed day four at 140/4, the checkpoint recorded in the previous version of this article. The hosts still had substantial work to do after conceding a 100-run first-innings lead. Matthew Breetzke's dismissal for 43 left them at 181/5, bringing Wiaan Mulder together with Ryan Rickelton.

The pair added 154 for the sixth wicket. Rickelton made 101 from 219 balls before being run out by Inglis, while Mulder scored 115 from 221 deliveries. Kagiso Rabada later supported Mulder as the final pair extended the innings. South Africa was eventually dismissed for 387 in 134.4 overs, leaving Australia to begin its chase on day five. The ICC's fourth-day report confirms the centuries, partnership and final second-innings total. The 140/4 score remains part of the match's history, rather than its current status.

How Australia reached 429

South Africa's opening innings ended at 329, and Australia replied with a stronger first-innings total. By day-two stumps, the visitors had reached 330/4, already one run ahead. Cameron Green contributed 65, Travis Head made 41, and Matthew Renshaw passed fifty. Josh Inglis was unbeaten on 85 and Alex Carey on 50 at the close, according to Cricket Australia's second-day report.

Inglis completed his century on day three, and his fifth-wicket partnership with Carey ultimately reached 185 runs. Cricket Australia's feature on the two wicketkeeper-batters describes their contrasting approaches: Inglis attacked the spin, while Carey accumulated more cautiously. Australia's completed 429 gave it a 100-run advantage. That lead explains why South Africa needed its fourth-day recovery before its bowlers could decide the match.

Confirmed toss and starting XIs

Pat Cummins won the toss on October 27 and elected to bowl. Cricket Australia's toss-and-teams report confirmed these starting lineups:

Australia brought in Green, Inglis, Connolly and Lyon for the decider. Steve Smith missed the match after a fitness test on his neck. South Africa made one change from its second-Test lineup, with Coetzee replacing the injured Anrich Nortje. These were the actual playing XIs, rather than the broader squads or possible teams listed before the toss.

The final series result and World Test Championship context

The series entered the Newlands Test level at 1–1. Australia had won the opener in Durban by 214 runs, before South Africa responded with an innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha. Winning the Cape Town decider completed South Africa's comeback and settled the three-match series 2–1.

The contest formed part of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship. In its October 31 rankings update, the ICC confirmed that South Africa replaced Australia at No. 1 in the men's Test team rankings. Australia moved to second in those rankings. The ICC also reported that New Zealand led the World Test Championship standings after the result. Team rankings and championship standings are separate tables; the bilateral series result is South Africa's 2–1 victory.

Newlands dates, start time and Australian coverage

The five scheduled playing days were October 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 at Newlands Cricket Ground in Cape Town. Cricket Australia's official match guide specified the opening-day first ball at 10:30 a.m. in Cape Town, South African Standard Time (SAST, UTC+02:00). That corresponds to 08:30 UTC on October 27 and 7:30 p.m. on October 27 in Sydney and Melbourne, Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT, UTC+11:00). These conversions account for daylight saving time in those Australian cities. They describe the scheduled start of the completed match.

For viewers in Australia, Cricket Australia identified Kayo and Fox Cricket as the broadcast options. Foxtel's official coverage announcement also listed Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Its earlier broadcast start included pre-match programming, so it should not be confused with the scheduled first ball. With the Test now finished, check the relevant platform for any replay availability and access requirements.

Use Cricket Australia's CA:39992 match centre for the scorecard, match reports and video coverage, or its official series page for the wider tour archive. The match has a confirmed final result; there is no remaining toss, lineup or outcome to await.