Temba Bavuma hit a career-best 179 to lead a dramatic South African fightback on the third day of the second Test against Australia at St George’s Park on Tuesday.
The South African captain shared century partnerships with Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82) as the hosts posted 425 for nine declared – a total which seemed improbable after they were 97 for five overnight.
It was Bavuma’s third day at the crease after battling through bowler-friendly conditions on the first two rain-shortened days.
The situation looked dire for the world Test champions when the sixth wicket fell on 110 early in the day but the tall Jansen changed the tempo of the game as he hammered nine fours and three sixes off 100 deliveries.
Jansen dominated a seventh wicket partnership of 132 off 186 balls but Bavuma became more assertive when he was joined by Harmer after Jansen clipped Scott Boland to midwicket in the first over with the second new ball.
Bavuma and Harmer added a South African Test record 182 for the eighth wicket.
Harmer and Bavuma fell off successive balls before Bavuma declared to leave Australia with a short period to bat before the close.