South Africa thrashed Australia by 176 runs at Newlands on Saturday to clinch their three-Test series 2-1 and climb to the top of the Test world rankings for the first time in more than a decade.
Chasing 288 to win the deciding Test in Cape Town, Australia were bowled out for 111, having already slumped to 60 for seven at lunch on the final day. Cameron Green and captain Pat Cummins resumed after the interval with the tourists facing an uphill task, but the resistance did not last.
Spinner Simon Harmer was the chief destroyer on a turning pitch, taking a career-best six wickets for 16 runs. His haul included ending Cummins’ stubborn innings of 11 from 90 balls, a knock that had briefly held up the South African charge.
Kagiso Rabada had earlier run through Australia’s top order to bring up a personal milestone. He removed opener Matt Renshaw for nought, caught down the leg side, and had the struggling Marnus Labuschagne leg before wicket for four in the first over of the innings. He then had the dangerous Travis Head caught at gully by Marco Jansen.
Those wickets took Rabada to 350 Test wickets in 13,808 deliveries, making him the fastest by balls bowled to reach the mark. He beat the previous best of compatriot Dale Steyn, who needed 14,719 deliveries, and Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, who took 14,905. Rabada finished the innings with three wickets for 39 runs.
The victory, with the series level at 1-1 going into the decider, lifts South Africa above Australia into first place in the Test rankings, a position they have not held since January 2016. It caps a strong period for the Proteas, who won the World Test Championship final last year.
For Australia, the defeat completes a disappointing end to a series they had fought hard to keep alive. Their batting collapsed twice under pressure on a deteriorating surface, and even Cummins’ long rearguard could not prevent a heavy defeat once Harmer found his rhythm.
Sources: Reuters, “Harmer, Rabada steer South Africa to series win over Australia” (31 October 2026), https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/harmer-rabada-steer-south-africa-series-win-over-australia-2026-10-31/ ; Reuters, “South Africa’s Rabada fastest to 350 wickets as Australia slump to 60-7” (31 October 2026), https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/south-africas-rabada-fastest-350-wickets-australia-slump-60-7-2026-10-31/
