Temba Bavuma's 179 helps South Africa beat Australia by an innings
File photo: www.davidmolloyphotography.com (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha on October 22, 2026 to level the series 1-1; Bavuma made 179 and Starc reached 450 wickets.
What Happened
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George's Park, Gqeberha, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, levelling the three-match series at 1-1 despite losing nearly two days to rain. Captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 as South Africa declared their first innings on 425 for nine, and Marco Jansen took five wickets in Australia's first innings. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc became the fastest bowler, by balls bowled, to reach 450 Test wickets during the match.
Key Facts
- Result: South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs on day five, October 22, 2026; the series is level at 1-1.
- Venue: St George's Park, Gqeberha; the match ran from October 18 to 22, with nearly two days lost to rain.
- Temba Bavuma: 179 in South Africa's 425 for nine declared.
- Marco Jansen: a five-wicket haul in Australia's first innings that swung the match.
- Australia's fight: Travis Head made 121 in the second innings, and night-watchman Scott Boland made 40.
- Starc's milestone: 450 Test wickets in 20,577 balls, fewer than the 23,474 balls Glenn McGrath took; Starc is also the first left-arm bowler to the mark.
- Next: the series decider will be played in Cape Town.
Why It Matters
Winning a Test by an innings after losing almost two days to rain is rare. It means South Africa had to take 20 Australian wickets and score heavily in roughly three days of play, leaving almost no margin for error. Bavuma's long innings gave his bowlers a big total to work with, and Jansen's five wickets broke Australia's first innings open. Even Head's second-innings century could not save the match.
For Australia, the defeat ends their lead in the series and sets up a decisive final Test. Their batting has been questioned during the tour, and losing by an innings will add to that pressure. For South Africa, the win is a statement at home, and Bavuma's captaincy and batting were central to it.
Starc's record is a career landmark. Measuring wickets by balls bowled rewards bowlers who take wickets often, and Starc reached 450 nearly 2,900 balls faster than McGrath. McGrath remains quicker by matches, having reached the mark in his 100th Test, so both men hold a version of the record. Being the first left-armer to 450 Test wickets also places Starc in a small group of bowlers.
For Indian fans, the series between two of the leading Test nations is closely followed because results affect the race for places in the World Test Championship, in which India also compete. A level series heading into Cape Town keeps both sides' campaigns open.
| Team | First innings | Second innings | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 425 for 9 declared | Did not bat | Won by an innings and 31 runs |
| Australia | Bowled out (Jansen five wickets) | Head 121 | Lost |
Impact
Short-term: Both teams travel to Cape Town for a series decider, with Australia needing to regroup after an innings defeat and South Africa carrying momentum.
Long-term: The result shapes the World Test Championship standings for both sides and adds to Bavuma's standing as South Africa's Test leader. Starc's record adds to his place among the most prolific fast bowlers in the format.
Who is affected: The South African and Australian teams and selectors, fans of both countries, and other Test nations, including India, following the World Test Championship race.
Key Takeaway
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha on October 22, 2026 to level the series 1-1, as Temba Bavuma scored 179 and Mitchell Starc became the fastest to 450 Test wickets by balls bowled.
Questions and Answers
Who won the second Test between South Africa and Australia?
South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs at St George's Park, Gqeberha, on October 22, 2026, levelling the series 1-1. The decider will be played in Cape Town.
How many runs did Temba Bavuma score?
Bavuma scored 179 in South Africa's first innings of 425 for nine declared, the innings that set up the win.
What record did Mitchell Starc break?
Starc reached 450 Test wickets in 20,577 balls, faster than Glenn McGrath's 23,474 balls. He is also the first left-arm bowler to take 450 Test wickets. McGrath reached the mark in fewer matches, 100.
How did rain affect the Test?
Nearly two days were lost to rain, but South Africa still bowled Australia out twice and won by an innings on the fifth day.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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