South Africa produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Australia by an innings and 34 runs in the second Test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha. After struggling at 97/5 in their first innings, the hosts recovered brilliantly to post 425/9 declared before bowling Australia out for 99 and 295 in their two innings. The emphatic victory levelled the series and set up a decisive third Test in Cape Town.
Temba Bavuma led South Africa’s recovery with a career-best 179, while Marco Jansen delivered an outstanding all-round performance. The result marked Australia’s first innings defeat since 2023 and sparked reactions from cricket fans, who praised South Africa’s resilience and dominant display.
Temba Bavuma leads South Africa’s remarkable turnaround
South Africa faced an uphill task after losing five wickets for just 97 runs in their first innings. However, Bavuma anchored the recovery with a magnificent 179, guiding his side towards a commanding total. His innings provided the foundation for the hosts to take control after a difficult start. Jansen contributed 85 runs, while Simon Harmer added a valuable 82 to frustrate the Australian bowling attack.
Their efforts helped South Africa declare at 425/9, with Scott Boland claiming five wickets for 81 runs. Australia’s first innings quickly unravelled as Jansen ripped through the batting lineup with figures of 5/33. The visitors were dismissed for just 99, forcing them to follow on and leaving South Africa in a commanding position.
Marco Jansen and Kagiso Rabada seal South Africa’s victory
Australia showed greater resistance in their second innings, with Travis Head scoring a fighting 121. However, the hosts continued to take wickets at crucial moments to prevent the visitors from building a match-saving partnership. Kagiso Rabada finished with four wickets for 77 runs, while Wiaan Mulder claimed three wickets for 64 runs. Mulder played a decisive role on the final day, dismissing Head and removing Boland and Pat Cummins before Rabada and Jansen helped finish the job.
Australia were eventually bowled out for 295, handing South Africa an innings-and-34-run victory. Jansen took the final wicket when Josh Hazlewood edged a delivery to slip. The result levelled the series and set up a high-stakes decider at Newlands in Cape Town, with South Africa carrying considerable momentum into the final Test.
Also WATCH: Kagiso Rabada delivers a 154.5 kmph thunderbolt at Travis Head in SA vs AUS 2nd Test
Here’s how fans reacted:
It’s a comeback for the ages from South Africa as they level the series in Gqeberha 💯⚡#SAvAUS #Cricket pic.twitter.com/rUoWIObRe2
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) October 23, 2026
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨
What a phenomenal game, what an incredible display from #TheProteas! An absolutely heart-stopping performance! 🤩
Bavuma led the way with the bat, and our bowlers ran riot with the ball! 💪🔥#TheProteas level the series 1-1 with a comprehensive victory by… pic.twitter.com/E89Ki6tyIj
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) October 22, 2026
SOUTH AFRICA DEFEAT AUSTRALIA BY AN INNINGS.
– A dominant show by Proteas, led by captain Temba Bavuma. pic.twitter.com/Z6AqFO6mNb
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 22, 2026
🚨 TEMBA BAVUMA AS TEST CAPTAIN:
Matches – 14
Won – 12
Lost – 1
Draw – 1He is changing the history of South African Cricket 🔥🫡 pic.twitter.com/lwO4S0EJqz
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 23, 2026
🚨 SOUTH AFRICA BEAT AUSTRALIA BY AN INNINGS! 🇿🇦🔥
– Captain Temba Bavuma leads the Proteas to a dominant victory! 💥 pic.twitter.com/Kf38vAa1Tw
— Cricket News (@I_am_Unkar_006) October 23, 2026
Temba Bavuma – Player of the Match🫶
My focus is still on the job ahead. We have one more match to play, and once the series is over, I’ll take the time to enjoy this achievement. pic.twitter.com/YpOMOrpUom— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) October 22, 2026
Gritty Temba Bavuma’s career best 179 runs helps crush Australians – an innings defeat to South Africa https://t.co/Nct2vwSoLQ
— Seema Chishti (@seemay) October 23, 2026
Crazy day on Planet Cricket as Australia slump to a first innings defeat in a test match in South Africa in 56 years and Sri Lanka achieve the second-highest successful chase in ODI history to defeat England.
— Simon Ward (@siwardsport) October 22, 2026
Temba Bavuma is blessed by Gods..
Won SA WTC and SA doing so well under him…— YellowShade India (@YellowShadeind) October 23, 2026
Temba Bavuma did it again..!! pic.twitter.com/v6ZVjY6rYt
— Dhannu Kumar (@Dhannukr10) October 23, 2026