Published : 20 Oct 2026, 10:24 PM
Updated : 20 Oct 2026, 10:24 PM
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma led a gritty fightback to help his side reach 318 runs for seven wickets at tea on the third day of the second Test against Australia at St George's Park on Tuesday.
Bavuma scored a fifth Test century and was unbeaten on 125 after featuring in a record-breaking partnership with Marco Jansen and continuing to frustrate Australia's bowling attack with tail-ender Simon Harmer, who was 30 not out after the second session.
Scott Boland (5-63) took one of the two wickets to fall on Tuesday to register the third five-wicket haul of his career and first outside of Australia as he snagged Jansen in the first over with the second new ball.
Bavuma’s century came in 226 balls in a patient display as he put together an impressive knock while Jansen, who made 85 off 100 balls, went about punishing the bowling as the pair compiled a 132-run partnership to break the previous South Africa record of 89 runs for the seventh wicket in a Test at St George’s Park, set against England in 1896.
Wiaan Mulder (13) was dismissed in the morning session as he ducked into a short-pitched ball from Mitchell Starc and gloved it behind to slip Matt Renshaw. It was Starc’s 450th Test wicket but Mulder was only given out after a review.
South Africa had been in a precarious position when they resumed on 97-5 after only 43 overs were bowled on the opening two rain-affected days.
Australia won last week’s opening Test in Durban by 214 runs to take the lead in the three match series.