Spinner Simon Harmer made history by becoming only the second South African spinner and the first since the team's re-admission to take a ten-wicket haul on home soil, securing a 2-1 series win over Australia in Cape Town.
South Africa face an uphill task after slipping to 140 for four in their second innings, holding a slender 40-run lead over Australia at stumps on Day 3 of the decisive third Test at Newlands on Thursday.
Australian coach Andrew McDonald has defended his team against a 'flood of criticism' following their 2-1 Test series loss to South Africa, acknowledging underachievement but backing the squad's core players. He addressed concerns about player performance and the team's future, particularly regarding Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
South Australia took Victoria's last seven wickets for 37 runs on Monday to secure a 56-run victory and clinch back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles for the first time.
Australia were bowled out for 99 in their first innings, trailing South Africa by 326 runs.
Pat Cummins admitted Australia must answer tough questions and consider changes after consecutive heavy defeats against South Africa cost them the series and their No. 1 Test ranking.
South Africa have recalled Gerald Coetzee for injured Anrich Nortje in the series-deciding Newlands Test, targeting a series victory, the world's top ranking and stronger World Test Championship prospects.
South Africa spinner Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-16 and Kagiso Rabada became the fastest by balls bowled to reach 350 test wickets as the hosts thumped Australia by 176 runs to clinch their three-test series 2-1 at Newlands on Saturday.
South Africa crushed Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha to level the series 1-1, with Bavuma's 179 and Rabada's four wickets proving decisive.
Pat Cummins hailed Australia's grit and ruthlessness in their 214-run win over South Africa, praising Matt Renshaw's rescue act, Josh Hazlewood's six-wicket haul and the selectors' decisions.
Australia secured a 45-run victory over South Africa via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in Potchefstroom, preventing a whitewash in the three-match one-day international series, with Xavier Bartlett and Adam Zampa leading the bowling attack.
Australia's cricket team is facing significant selection challenges and tough decisions regarding their line-up for the series-deciding third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, following a heavy innings defeat in the second match.
Temba Bavuma blamed South Africa's lack of fight and mental lapses for their 214-run defeat to Australia, rejecting rustiness as an excuse ahead of the second Test.
Pat Cummins says Australia must learn to grind out Test results as they prepare for a tricky South Africa challenge at Kingsmead.
Josh Inglis' unbeaten 85 and Alex Carey's 51 not out powered Australia to 330/4, securing a first-innings lead over South Africa and strengthening their grip on the decisive Test.
Australia captain Pat Cummins will give Steve Smith every chance to recover from a neck injury before the decisive third Test against South Africa at Newlands, with team selection pending.
Simon Harmer believes franchise T20 cricket has softened the fierce Australia-South Africa rivalry by turning international opponents into teammates, though he expects intense competition in the Test series.
Temba Bavuma's career-best 179 powered South Africa to 425 for nine declared, with record partnerships alongside Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer before Kagiso Rabada struck early against Australia.
Steve Smith created history with a record 223rd Test catch as Australia took a 139-run lead over South Africa on Day 3 of the first Test at Kingsmead on Sunday.
Australia need six wickets on final day to win first Test as South Africa were reduced to 102 for 4 at stumps on day four in Durban.
Matt Renshaw's career-best 190 propelled Australia to 390 all out, while Josh Hazlewood removed Ryan Rickelton cheaply as South Africa reached 27-1 before bad light intervened.
Pat Cummins and Matt Renshaw led Australia's fightback against South Africa, adding an unbeaten 63-run stand before bad light ended the opening day at 187/6.
Josh Hazlewood claimed 6-49 as Australia crushed South Africa by 214 runs at Kingsmead, dismissing the hosts for 206 to take a 1-0 lead in the three-Test series.
Australia's middle-order batting struggles, particularly against spin, led to their ODI series defeat against South Africa. Despite strong starts from openers, the team consistently faltered in the middle overs, a concern acknowledged by captain Mitch Marsh as a crucial learning experience ahead of the 2027 Cricket World Cup.
Mitch Marsh will captain Australia in the first ODI against South Africa, despite Pat Cummins' arrival. Cummins is focusing on the upcoming Test series, allowing Marsh to continue leading the ODI side after a successful series in Zimbabwe. Cummins might return for later matches in the series, which serves as preparation for next year's World Cup.
Matthew Breetzke's century led South Africa to a 67-run victory over Australia in the first ODI in Durban. Despite a strong start, Australia's chase faltered due to poor shot selection, losing nine wickets for 101 runs. South Africa posted 297/8, with Breetzke scoring 112 and Marco Jansen adding 75. Australian captain Mitch Marsh expressed disappointment over the team's inability to form partnerships.
Nathan Lyon's late dismissal of South Africa captain Temba Bavuma significantly strengthened Australia's position on Day 3 of the third ICC World Test Championship Test. South Africa ended the day at 140/4, holding a 40-run lead, with Australia's Josh Inglis confident in his team's control. Despite a strong bowling performance from South Africa earlier in the day, Australia's late breakthroughs have shifted momentum.
Mitchell Marsh will captain Australia's One-Day International and T20 International squads against England, with most frontline Test players rested after their recent South Africa series. The move aims to manage player workload ahead of the upcoming New Zealand Test series.
Australia faces a challenging target of 288 runs against South Africa on a deteriorating Newlands wicket, with the home side's pace attack and spinner Simon Harmer expected to exploit the conditions to clinch the three-match Test series.
Marnus Labuschagne remains confident he is Australia's best No. 3 Test option, despite facing criticism for a prolonged century drought and a recent average of 25.43 since the 2023 Ashes.
South Africa has announced an 18-player preliminary squad for the upcoming three-match home Test series against Australia, including fast bowler Kagiso Rabada despite his current hamstring injury. Uncapped batter Marques Ackerman also earned a call-up.
Marques Ackerman's career-best 95 lifted South Africa to 329, but Mitchell Starc's 6-72 triggered a collapse, leaving Australia well placed in the decisive Newlands Test.
Rickelton and Mulder struck centuries to set Australia a challenging 288-run target at Newlands, with the series decider also offering the winner the No. 1 spot in Test rankings.
Australia have strengthened their ODI squad for South Africa with returns for Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, while Jack Edwards could debut amid Cameron Green's shoulder concern.
South Africa has made significant changes to their squad for the second Test against Australia in Gqeberha, dropping Tristan Stubbs and calling up Matthew Breetzke. Ryan Rickelton will take over as wicketkeeper, likely leading to Kyle Verreynne's exclusion from the playing XI. These changes come after their heavy defeat in the first Test, with lead pacer Kagiso Rabada expected to return.
South Africa, reeling from a 214-run defeat in the first Test against Australia, is determined to level the series in the second Test starting Sunday in Gqeberha. The hosts are expected to make several team changes, including the return of paceman Kagiso Rabada, as they look to overcome batting fragilities exposed in the previous match. Australia, despite their dominant win, might consider workload management for their fast bowlers amidst forecasts of persistent rain.
South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has become the fourth Proteas bowler to claim 200 Test wickets on home soil, joining legends like Dale Steyn and Shaun Pollock. His achievement came during a Test match against Australia where South Africa staged a remarkable comeback, enforcing a follow-on after dismissing Australia for 99. Captain Temba Bavuma led a strong batting recovery for the Proteas.
South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje has been ruled out of the decisive third Test against Australia due to a groin injury sustained during the second Test victory.
Temba Bavuma will lead South Africa against Australia, with Gerald Coetzee recalled, Kagiso Rabada injured, and Dewald Brevis omitted as the Proteas strengthen World Cup preparations.
Australian paceman Scott Boland continued his impressive form, taking four wickets to leave South Africa struggling at 97/5 at stumps on Day 2 of the second Test. Captain Temba Bavuma remains unbeaten on 41, offering the only resistance against a dominant Australian attack.
