South Africa have beaten Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town, to clinch the series 2-1 and reclaim the No.1 Test ranking. Chasing 288 on the final day, Australia were bowled out for 111 before tea, undone by off-spinner Simon Harmer, who finished with 6 for 16 from 21.1 overs, and Kagiso Rabada, who took 3 for 39.

Harmer finished the match with career-best figures of 10 for 120, his first ten-wicket haul in Tests and the first by a South African spinner at Cape Town. Rabada struck twice in the first over of the final day's play and reached 350 Test wickets in the process. South Africa had trailed by 100 runs after the first innings — 329 against Australia's 429 — before Wiaan Mulder (115) and Ryan Rickelton (101) set up the target with a second-innings total of 387.

A series turned around

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, but South Africa responded by winning the second Test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs, then completed the turnaround in Cape Town. It was Australia's first Test series defeat since March 2023, and only the fourth time they have lost a three-match series after winning the first Test. Marco Jansen was named player of the series for 198 runs and 13 wickets, while Harmer's final-day spell — 14 maidens in 21.1 overs — will be remembered as the performance that decided it.