South Africa Need Six Wickets to Level Test Series

South Africa moved to the brink of a series-leveling win in the second Test against Australia after forcing the visitors to follow on at St George’s Park. Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and ended the fourth day on 156 for 4 in their second, still trailing by 170 runs with six wickets remaining.

South Africa’s bowling collapse pressure turned into control

The match swung sharply after South Africa declared on 425 for 9, built on Temba Bavuma’s 173 in the first innings. Australia’s first reply never settled, with Marco Jansen producing the key spell of the day and finishing with 5 for 33 in 11 overs.

That effort meant Australia’s total of 99 became their fourth-lowest against South Africa in Test cricket. The innings lasted only an hour after lunch, underlining how quickly the hosts converted scoreboard pressure into wickets.

Jansen leads the attack with support from Rabada and Mulder

South Africa’s pace unit shared the damage efficiently. Wiaan Mulder returned 2 for 14, Kagiso Rabada took 2 for 33, and Anrich Nortje claimed 1 wicket before a groin injury cut short his day after only 3.3 overs.

The injury matters tactically because South Africa spent the final stages of the day one bowler short. Even so, their control remained strong enough to keep Australia under sustained pressure across both innings.

Key bowling figures

Australia’s resistance came through Head and Labuschagne

Australia’s second innings was more competitive than the first, mainly because of a 92-run stand between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne for the second wicket. Head finished unbeaten on 87, while Labuschagne scored 39 before edging a spinner to the boundary rider.

The partnership pushed Australia beyond their first innings total and offered some stability, but the deficit remained substantial. Once Labuschagne departed, South Africa’s bowlers returned to the lower order, with Beau Webster dismissed for 8 as Harmer trapped him lbw.

Smith milestone overshadowed by injury and collapse

Steve Smith reached 11,000 Test runs, becoming one of the few players in the format to cross that mark. However, the milestone was muted by a neck injury that prevented him from batting in the second innings, and Australia’s batting depth was then exposed by repeated breakthroughs.

From South Africa’s perspective, the numbers reflect a significant turnaround. After being 110 for 6 earlier in the Test, Bavuma’s 173 and the bowling response changed the match entirely. South Africa now need six wickets on the final day to level the series after losing the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs.

Match context at a glance

With weather already affecting the first two days and the pitch continuing to reward disciplined bowling, South Africa enter the final day with the clearer statistical advantage. Australia have one set batter unbeaten, but the required runs and remaining wickets suggest the hosts remain well placed to force a series decider-level result.