# SA vs AUS 3rd Test: Harmer's 6 for 16 bowls Australia out for 111, South Africa win series 2-1

Source: Searchable (https://searchable.pk/news/cricket/sa-vs-aus-3rd-test-harmers-6-for-16-bowls-australia-out-for-111-south-africa-win)
Type: News article
Author: Searchable Editorial
Published: 31 Oct 2026
Updated: 31 Oct 2026
Retrieved: 31 Oct 2026

> Set 288, Australia were bowled out for 111 at Newlands on the final day. South Africa came back from losing the first Test to take the series and go top of the Test rankings.

**South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs** in the third Test at Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday to win the series 2-1. Set 288 to win, Australia were bowled out for **111** in 57.1 overs on day five.

Off-spinner **Simon Harmer** took a career-best **6 for 16**, and **Kagiso Rabada** took 3 for 39. The win lifts South Africa to the top of the ICC Test rankings for the first time since January 2016, Reuters reported.

## Scores

- **South Africa:** 329 and 387
- **Australia:** 429 and 111
- **Result:** South Africa won by 176 runs; series 2-1

## How the final day went

Australia began the day needing 288 on a pitch that turned more each session. Rabada had Matt Renshaw caught behind by Ryan Rickelton for a golden duck, and Marnus Labuschagne went for 4. Travis Head, Josh Inglis and Alex Carey all fell cheaply, and Australia were 60 for 7 after lunch, still 228 short.

Captain **Pat Cummins** batted 90 balls for 11 before Harmer trapped him lbw. Harmer also removed Mitchell Starc as the innings folded for 111.

The match was set up on day four, when **Wiaan Mulder (115)** and **Rickelton (101)** added 154 for the sixth wicket to take South Africa to 387 in their second innings.

## Rabada reaches 350

Rabada's three wickets took him to **350 Test wickets in 13,808 balls**, the fewest deliveries any bowler has needed to reach the mark, ahead of Dale Steyn (14,719) and Pakistan's **Waqar Younis (14,905)**, according to Reuters.

## The series

Australia won the first Test heavily before South Africa levelled in Gqeberha, where Australia were bowled out for 99, made to follow on and beaten by an innings and 31 runs. Australia had led on first innings in Cape Town by 100 runs and still lost.

The defeat drew a sharp reaction at home: the BBC reported that former Australia opener David Warner called the performance "un-Australian".

## Why it matters for Pakistan fans

South Africa's rise to No. 1 reshapes the World Test Championship race that Pakistan are also part of. Australia have now lost two Tests in a row in South Africa, the second on a pitch that helped spin more each day.

## Related

- [SA vs AUS 2nd Test: South Africa win by an innings and 31 runs](/news/cricket/south-africa-vs-australia-australia-all-out-for-99-follow-on-and-trail-by-170)
- [SA vs AUS 3rd Test, day 2 report](/news/cricket/sa-vs-aus-3rd-test-starc-takes-6-72-as-south-africa-slide-from-158-for-0-to-329)

## Frequently asked questions

**Who won the South Africa vs Australia Test series 2026?**

South Africa won 2-1 after beating Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands on 31 October 2026.

## Sources

- Harmer, Rabada steer South Africa to series win over Australia (Reuters) (Reuters via Devdiscourse): https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/international/4000087-cricket-harmer-rabada-steer-south-africa-to-series-win-over-australia
- South Africa vs Australia, 3rd Test, day 5 report (ESPN): https://www.espn.com/cricket/series/19430/report/1525661/day/5/south-africa-vs-australia-3rd-test-19430
- 'Un-Australian': Warner tears into former side (BBC Sport): https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket

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