Harmer the hero as South Africa clinches series win

Simon Harmer picked up a career-best six for 16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third Test by 176 runs and clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Newlands on Saturday (October 31, 2026).

The 37-year-old off-spinner finished with match figures of 10 for 120, his first 10-wicket haul in Tests. Harmer’s second-innings figures read: 21.1-14-16-6.

Kagiso Rabada took three for 39 to reach 350 Test wickets.

Set a 288-run target, Australia collapsed to 60 for seven at lunch before Nathan Lyon (33 not out) and captain Pat Cummins (11) offered some resistance.

The visitors had a tough morning session as Kagiso Rabada and Harmer took three wickets each.

The day began with Australia getting off to a poor start as Rabada dismissed the in-form Matt Renshaw for a golden duck, caught behind down the leg-side.

Australia’s previous lowest fourth innings total against South Africa was 107 — also at Cape Town — back in 2018, when it lost by 322 runs. With the win, South Africa displaced Australia from the top of the ICC Test rankings.

The scores:

South Africa 329 & 387 bt Australia 429 & 111 in 57.1 overs (Harmer 6/16).

Player-of-the-Match: Harmer.

Player-of-the-Series: Jansen.

Published - November 01, 2026 05:15 am IST