South Africa won the third Test against Australia by 176 runs at Newlands on Saturday, 31 October, securing the three-match series 2–1.

Simon Harmer led the decisive bowling performance with six wickets for 16 runs in 21.1 overs. Kagiso Rabada took three for 39 as Australia were dismissed for 111 while chasing 288.

The result completed a turnaround for the Proteas after they lost the opening Test by 214 runs. They had levelled the series with an innings-and-31-run victory in the second Test.

Harmer finishes the job

Cricket Australia’s match report confirmed that Harmer took the last six wickets of the match, finishing with combined figures of 10 for 120. Rabada had removed Australia’s first three batters before Josh Inglis was run out.

Nathan Lyon finished unbeaten on 33, while Cameron Green made 27. Harmer dismissed Pat Cummins for 11 and bowled Josh Hazlewood to end the innings after 57.1 overs.

South Africa’s second-innings recovery had given their bowlers a target to defend despite a 100-run first-innings deficit. Wiaan Mulder scored 115 and Ryan Rickelton 101 in a total of 387, following the hosts’ first-innings 329 and Australia’s 429.

Rickelton and Mulder added 154 for the sixth wicket, taking South Africa from 181 for five to 335 before Rickelton was run out.