Bavuma's Test-best ton has South Africa in dominant position vs Australia

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma struck his Test-best score of 179 to see his side into a dominant position in the second Test against Australia, as they look to level the three-match series.

Bavuma's magnificent innings helped rescue the Proteas from a perilous position of 40-4, with Australia's bowlers on top during the first two rain-affected days in Gqeberha but Bavuma, along with vital lower-order contributions from Marco Jansen (85) and Simon Harmer (82) helped wrestle the match the home side's way.

Kagiso Rabada only added to their advantage by striking with his fourth ball back from a hamstring injury that has sidelined him since June, with Nic Maddinson poking an edge to third slip for his second duck in three innings since his own Test return.

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Australia ultimately closed on 3-1, still trailing South Africa by 422 runs on first innings, though with so much time lost to wet weather already in the Test match, the hosts are up against the clock over the final two days in their push for victory and force a series-decider in Cape Town from October 27.

South Africa resumed the third morning on 97-5 and swiftly lost a sixth wicket as Wiaan Mulder (13) was bounced out by Mitchell Starc for his 450th Test wicket.

But Bavuma continued to battle, notching a 140-ball fifty, before he and Jansen provided the perfect counter-punch in a 132-run partnership for the seventh wicket, one which was only bettered by the 183 put with Harmer - a new South African record stand for the eighth wicket.

Scott Boland (5-81), who had torn through the Proteas' top order over the first two days, secured a well-deserved five-for with the dismissal of Jansen, while Harmer and Bavuma's resistance was finally broken with back-to-back deliveries to trigger a declaration on 425-9.

Marnus Labuschagne first bowled Harmer, before Starc was the one to finally draw an error from Bavuma as he nicked off for 179.

Rabada added to Australia's woes with his early dismissal of Maddison, though he was restricted to just the one over as the deteriorating light resulted in three subsequent overs of spin prior to stumps.

Warner slams 'pathetic' Test crowds in South Africa

Former Australia batter David Warner has hit out at the "pathetic" attendances in the ongoing Test series in South Africa.

South Africa lost the first Test match by 214 runs in Durban, with large sections of the Kingsmead ground empty, and the crowds haven't really picked up through the first two rain-affected days of the second Test in Gqeberha.

"We keep hearing how important Test cricket is, but where are the fans in South Africa?" Warner said in a social media post on Tuesday.

"Empty stands, no atmosphere, and we're supposed to believe the format is thriving?

"You can't keep calling Test cricket the pinnacle of the game if no one turns up to watch it.

"Harsh reality, but someone has to say it. Pathetic."

Warner, along with Steve Smith and Cameron Bancroft, was part of the infamous 'sandpapergate' scandal that dominated Australia's last tour of South Africa in 2018. The then vice-captain was given a one-year ban and told he would never be considered for a leadership position within the team again.

Watch day four of the second Test between South Africa and Australia live on Sky Sports Cricket from 8.30am, Wednesday. Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract on NOW.