South Africa vs Australia, 2nd Test, Oct 18, 2026: commentary
| South Africa | 425/9 | 127.1 ov |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 99 | 42.3 ov |
| Australia | 295 | 107.1 ov |
South Africa win by an innings and 31 runs
Result
South Africa win by an innings and 31 runs
What the reporting says
Nathan Ellis is out with a side strain, leaving Australia only four fit fast bowlers.
Josh Hazlewood is expected to be rested for the final ODI.
South Africa have already sealed the series with a game to spare, allowing experimentation in Potchefstroom.
Jack Edwards took his maiden five-wicket haul in the previous match but may be replaced by Ollie Peake.
Cold, wet weather is forecast on the Highveld, with lows of six degrees and possible delay or a reduced match.
Nathan Ellis is out of the third ODI with a side strain, and spinner Joel Davies leaves the tour with a hamstring strain suffered as a substitute fielder.
Facts taken from the stories linked beside them, each from a sentence in the original.
AUS 2ND
- 107.1
Over 108. no runs. Bowler: Marco Jansen. Australia: 295/10(rr 2.73)
- 107.1
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Josh Hazlewood. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, top edge to second slip, caught by Markram. That's it! South Africa claim the final wicket to seal a magnificent victory, defeating Australia by an innings and 31 runs and level the series at 1-1. Australia showed tremendous resistance, led by Travis Head's outstanding century, and Scott Boland's vigil, but the relentless South African bowling attack proved too strong. Kagiso Rabada delivered crucial breakthroughs, while Wiaan Mulder provided excellent support with the ball. Despite Australia's determined fight, the hosts maintained their pressure and wrapped up the innings in style. A memorable performance from South Africa at St George's Park, to set up a series decider in Cape Town next week. Temba Bavuma is the Player of the Match for his match winning knock.
- 107.0
Over 107. 4 runs. Bowler: Kagiso Rabada. Australia: 295/9(rr 2.76)
- 106.6
FOUR! Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, well timed in the air under control past deep extra cover for 4 runs.
- 106.5
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, hit pad to silly point for no runs.
- 106.4
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, Played to mid on for no runs, fielded by Bedingham.
- 106.3
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to mid off for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
- 106.2
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, hit pad to leg gully for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 106.1
Kagiso Rabada to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, Played to short mid wicket for no runs, fielded by Jansen.
- 106.0
Over 106. 1 run. Bowler: Marco Jansen. Australia: 291/9(rr 2.75)
- 105.6
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, Played to point for 1 run, shy attempt by Ackerman.
- 105.5
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played back to bowler for no runs.
- 105.4
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Steer, Played to third man for no runs, fielded by Harmer.
- 105.3
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to backward square leg for no runs, fielded by Harmer.
- 105.2
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, left for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 105.1
Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, left for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 105.0
Over 105. no runs. Bowler: Kagiso Rabada. Australia: 290/9(rr 2.76)
- 104.6
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bedingham.
- 104.5
OUT! Bowled. Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Seaming in length ball, off stump on the front foot Slog, missed. You miss, I hit.
- 104.4
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Length ball, to leg on the back foot glancing, hit pad for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 96.5
OUT! Bowled. Wiaan Mulder to Pat Cummins. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed.
- 94.6
OUT! Bowled. Wiaan Mulder to Scott Boland. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed.
- 82.1
OUT! Caught. Kagiso Rabada to Steve Smith. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to mid wicket, caught by Breetzke. Rabada is pumped up! Big wicket for the Proteas.
- 74.4
OUT! Bowled. Wiaan Mulder to Travis Head. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot working, inside edge. Tremondous knock comes to an end.
- 47.5
OUT! L.B.W. Simon Harmer to Beau Webster. Off break length ball, off stump on the back foot defending, hit pad. Up goes the finger.
- 38.5
OUT! Bowled. Kagiso Rabada to Matt Renshaw. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot shoulders arms, hit pad. A beauty that seams back in sharply, and crashes into the stumps!
- 31.6
OUT! Caught. Simon Harmer to Marnus Labuschagne. Off break length ball, off stump down the track Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to long on, caught by Jansen. Labuschagne falls once again after getting himself set at the crease!
- 2.4
OUT! Caught. Kagiso Rabada to Nic Maddinson. Out-swinging length ball, down leg side on the back foot defending, outside edge, caught by Rickelton. Nicked! And the first blood dropped for Australia.
AUS 1ST
- 42.3
Over 43. 1 run. Bowler: Wiaan Mulder. Australia: 99/10(rr 2.30)
- 42.3
OUT! Caught. Wiaan Mulder to Pat Cummins. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep square leg, caught by Breetzke. Australia have been bowled out for just 99, handing South Africa a commanding advantage in the contest. Marco Jansen led the demolition with a superb five-wicket haul, while Wiaan Mulder claimed two wickets to keep the Australian batters under constant pressure. Steve Smith top-scored with 28, but the lack of meaningful partnerships proved costly as Australia lost wickets at regular intervals. With a massive lead in hand, South Africa have decided to enforce the follow-on, sending Australia back in to bat once again. The pressure is firmly on the hosts to show greater resilience and put up a much stronger fight in their second innings. Can the Australian batters rise to the challenge, or will the Proteas' relentless pace attack strike early once more? The next innings promises to be a crucial phase in this contest!
- 42.2
Wiaan Mulder to Pat Cummins. Back of a length, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to point for no runs, fielded by Harmer.
- 42.1
Wiaan Mulder to Josh Hazlewood. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to deep point for 1 run, fielded by Breetzke.
- 42.0
Over 42. 1 run. Bowler: Kagiso Rabada. Australia: 98/9(rr 2.33)
- 41.6
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot Slog, missed for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 41.5
Kagiso Rabada to Pat Cummins. Short, outside off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 41.4
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Reverse Swing-Out length ball, wide outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge to deep backward square leg for 1 run.
- 41.3
Kagiso Rabada to Josh Hazlewood. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the front foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 41.2
OUT! Caught. Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge, caught by Rickelton. Nine down for the visitors.
- 41.1
Kagiso Rabada to Mitchell Starc. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 41.0
Over 41. 5 runs. Bowler: Wiaan Mulder. Australia: 97/8(rr 2.37)
- 40.6
Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Starc. Reverse Swing-In length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Rabada.
- 40.5
Wiaan Mulder to Mitchell Starc. Length ball, down leg side on the front foot glancing, Missed (Leg Side) for no runs, fielded by Rickelton.
- 40.4
OUT! Bowled. Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot defending, missed. That's a perfect delivery to defeat the big fish.
- 40.3
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, hit pad to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Ackerman.
- 40.2
FOUR! Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the back foot shoulders arms, left past fine leg for 4 runs, mis-fielded by Rickelton.
- 40.1
Wiaan Mulder to Steve Smith. Length ball, middle stump on the back foot glancing, Missed (Leg Side) for no runs, mis-fielded by Rickelton.
- 40.0
Over 40. 7 runs. Bowler: Marco Jansen. Australia: 92/7(rr 2.30)
- 39.6
Marco Jansen to Pat Cummins. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot defending, Played to extra cover for no runs, fielded by Bavuma.
- 37.4
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Beau Webster. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge to second slip, caught by Markram. Markram makes no mistake.
- 29.6
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Alex Carey. Length ball, wide outside off stump on the back foot Steer, top edge in the air uncontrolled, caught by Rickelton. Carey departs without scoring. The Proteas are right on top.
- 29.4
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Matt Renshaw. Seaming away back of a length, outside off stump on the back foot defending, thick edge to gully, caught by Harmer. Jansen strikes again, the partnership has been broken.
- 13.6
OUT! Caught. Anrich Nortje to Marnus Labuschagne. Out-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to third slip, caught by Harmer. A stunning catch from Harmer.
- 9.2
OUT! L.B.W. Marco Jansen to Travis Head. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, hit pad. Great review to get the danger man out.
- 5.1
OUT! Caught. Marco Jansen to Scott Boland. Back of a length, middle stump on the back foot driving, outside edge, caught by Rickelton. Marco Jansen strikes in the first ball of his spell.
- 0.4
OUT! Caught. Kagiso Rabada to Nic Maddinson. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge to third slip, caught by Harmer.
SAF 1ST
- 127.1
Over 128. no runs. Bowler: Mitchell Starc. South Africa: 425/9(rr 3.32)
- 127.1
OUT! Caught. Mitchell Starc to Temba Bavuma. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, outside edge, caught by Carey. What a magnificent innings from the skipper! He scored a brilliant 179 runs and decided to declare the innings after the fall of his wicket. South Africa finished on 425 runs, with the skipper leading from the front. Marco Jansen also played a brilliant innings of 85, while lower-order batter Simon Harmer provided excellent support with a valuable 82 runs. The Australian fast bowlers put in an impressive performance, with Scott Boland leading the attack by picking up five wickets, while Mitchell Starc chipped in with three. What a contest we've had so far! Now, it's time for Australia to respond. Do join us after the break for Australia's innings!
- 127.0
Over 127. 5 runs. Bowler: Marnus Labuschagne. South Africa: 425/8(rr 3.35)
- 126.6
OUT! Bowled. Marnus Labuschagne to Simon Harmer. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the front foot slog sweeping, missed. An excellent knock comes to a close.
- 126.5
Marnus Labuschagne to Simon Harmer. Leg spinner length ball, off stump on the back foot cutting, missed for no runs, fielded by Carey.
- 126.4
Marnus Labuschagne to Temba Bavuma. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot Steer, Played to short third man for 1 run, shy attempt by Boland.
- 126.3
Marnus Labuschagne to Temba Bavuma. Leg spinner length ball, to leg on the back foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for 2 runs, fielded by Maddinson.
- 126.2
Marnus Labuschagne to Simon Harmer. Leg spinner length ball, to leg on the back foot working, Played to deep square leg for 1 run, fielded by Hazlewood.
- 126.1
Marnus Labuschagne to Temba Bavuma. Leg spinner length ball, outside off stump on the back foot working, Played to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Maddinson.
- 126.0
Over 126. 7 runs. Bowler: Beau Webster. South Africa: 420/7(rr 3.33)
- 125.6
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot driving, Played to deep cover for 1 run, fielded by Maddinson.
- 125.5
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, missed for no runs, fielded by Carey.
- 125.4
Beau Webster to Simon Harmer. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot Slog, mis-timed in the air uncontrolled to deep mid wicket for 1 run, fielded by Head.
- 125.3
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, Played to point for 1 run, fielded by Labuschagne.
- 125.2
Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma. Length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Labuschagne.
- 125.1
FOUR! Beau Webster to Temba Bavuma. Back of a length, wide outside off stump on the back foot pulling, well timed in the air under control past deep mid wicket for 4 runs. Width offered, and Temba Bavuma pulls it away!
- 125.0
Over 125. 7 runs. Bowler: Nic Maddinson. South Africa: 413/7(rr 3.30)
- 124.6
Nic Maddinson to Simon Harmer. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, Played to short extra cover for no runs, fielded by Labuschagne.
- 124.5
Nic Maddinson to Simon Harmer. Stock length ball, down leg side on the front foot glancing, Missed (Leg Side) for no runs, fielded by Carey.
- 124.4
Nic Maddinson to Temba Bavuma. Stock length ball, outside off stump on the front foot defending, inside edge to short leg for 1 run, shy attempt by Carey, fielded by Starc.
- 80.5
OUT! Caught. Scott Boland to Marco Jansen. In-swinging length ball, outside off stump on the front foot working, well timed in the air under control to mid wicket, caught by Head. A five-wicket haul for Scott Boland!
- 39.4
OUT! Caught. Scott Boland to Ryan Rickelton. Length ball, outside off stump on the back foot pushing, outside edge to first slip, caught by Renshaw. That's an incredible catch from Renshaw.
- 21.3
OUT! Caught. Mitchell Starc to Matthew Breetzke. Back of a length, off stump on the back foot driving, outside edge, caught by Carey. Change of bowler gets the reward!
- 14.3
OUT! Caught. Scott Boland to Marques Ackerman. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, outside edge, caught by Carey. Boland strikes early! The debutant had no clue about that.
- 8.5
OUT! Caught. Scott Boland to David Bedingham. Seaming away length ball, outside off stump on the front foot pushing, outside edge, caught by Carey. Two in two! Scotty B is on a roll.
- 8.4
OUT! Bowled. Scott Boland to Aiden Markram. Seaming in length ball, outside off stump on the front foot driving, inside edge. Big wicket! Scott Boland does the job.