South Africa vs Australia third Test match has come to an end as the Proteas have made a strong comeback in the series after losing the first game of the series. Temba Bavuma’s side have won the third match by a huge margin of 176 run. After this huge win, we will take a look at the World Test Championship (WTC) points table.

This will be a historic win for the side, which had been down in the first two Test matches. But from the second game, after Temba Bavuma’s innings and Marco Jansen’s fighting all-round performance, they turned things around, and in this match as well, the bowlers and the middle order played out well, which helped them win the series 2-1.

South Africa post a good first innings total

Australia won the toss and elected to field first. They made four changes in the side, with one being forced one Steve Smith was dropped due to an injury, and Josh Inglis came into the side. South Africa made only one forced change, bringing in Gerald Coetzee for Anrich Nortje, who suffered a mild groin injury during the second Test.

After being asked to bat first, the Proteas had a strong start as they stitched 158 runs for the first wicket, with Marques Ackerman playing an explosive innings of 95 runs off 94 deliveries. His opening partner, Aiden Markram, scored 70 runs, and David Bedigham scored a fifty. The middle order collapsed, and they lost 6 wickets for 74 runs.

However, Marco Jansen was yet again to the rescue as the bowling all-rounder who had a brilliant series scored crucial 52 runs, and Ryan Rickelton scored 42 runs. For the Aussies, Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with 6/72 as the home side scored 329 runs.

Josh Inglis stood tall against South Africa

Australia in the first innings had a fiery start, with Travis Head scoring 41 runs and being the first batter to be dismissed. They were 58/2 as Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed for a duck. Matt Renshaw played a solid knock of 70 runs and built a partnership with Cameron Green, who scored 65 runs as both set batters were dismissed in the span of two overs.

The Aussies were struggling at 185/4 as Josh Inglis stepped up big for the side and played a valuable knock of 102 runs, and he was well supported by Alex Carey, who scored 80 runs as the Kangaroos took a lead of 100 runs in the first innings. Simon Harmer picked up four wickets for the side.

South Africa bowlers rattled the Australia batting

In the second innings, the Proteas were struggling at 181/5 at one stage, then Ryan Rickelton came big for the side, scoring a brilliant hundred as he was dismissed on 101, and he and Wiaan Mulder changed the game for the side as the latter scored 115 runs as the Proteas set a good target of 290 runs.

Coming to chase, Australia lost two early wickets in the first over. They did not have the patience as the wickets kept on tumbling at regular intervals; only Nathan Lyon was the leading scorer with 33 runs as they were 60/7 after the end of the first session of the last day. They were bowled out for 111 runs.

WTC points table after South Africa vs Australia 3rd Test

After the win in the third Test match, the Proteas have become the No.1 Test side. They have dethroned the Aussie side. The home side came back from behind and has now climbed up to the second position on the WTC table.

Australia, after the loss against South Africa, has slipped down to the third position. This is going down to the wire as the Aussies next play India away from home who also has a chance to qualify for the final.