AUS vs SA 2nd Test Result: South Africa Win by an Innings and 31 Runs, Level Series 1-1
South Africa produced one of the greatest comebacks in their Test history at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, crushing Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the 2nd Test on Thursday, October 22, 2026. The win, sealed early on the final day despite looming dark clouds, levels the three-match series 1-1 and sets up a winner-takes-all decider at Newlands, Cape Town, from October 27.
After losing almost two full days to rain and slumping to 110 for 6 in their first innings, the Proteas roared back behind captain Temba Bavuma’s career-best 179, a rampaging Marco Jansen with bat and ball, and a final-day demolition job by Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder. Australia were skittled for just 99 in their first innings, forced to follow on for only the third time since 1988, and dismissed for 295 in the second to suffer their first innings defeat since 2023.
AUS vs SA 2nd Test Match Result Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | 2nd Test, Australia tour of South Africa 2026 |
| Venue | St George’s Park, Gqeberha |
| Dates | October 18–22, 2026 |
| Toss | Australia won and chose to field |
| Result | South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs |
| Player of the Match | Temba Bavuma (179) |
| Series | Level 1-1 |
| Innings | Score | Key Performances |
|---|---|---|
| South Africa 1st innings | 425/9 declared (127.1 overs) | Bavuma 179, Jansen 85, Harmer 82; Boland 5/81 |
| Australia 1st innings | 99 all out (42.3 overs) | Smith 28; Jansen 5/33, Rabada 2/33, Mulder 2/14 |
| Australia 2nd innings (follow-on) | 295 all out (107.1 overs) | Head 121, Boland 40; Rabada 4/77, Mulder 3/64 |
Bavuma’s 179 Leads South Africa’s Stunning First-Innings Fightback
South Africa’s innings looked in ruins when they were reduced to 97 for 5 at the close of the second day and then 110 for 6, but captain Temba Bavuma turned the match on its head with a career-best 179 off 334 balls, laced with 18 fours and a six. The Proteas skipper was joined in the rescue act by Marco Jansen (85 off 100) and Simon Harmer (82 off 157), whose defiant 183-run eighth-wicket stand took the hosts to a commanding 425 for 9 declared.
For Australia, Scott Boland was the standout with 5 for 81. But what looked at first like a rescue mission to save a rain-affected draw quickly became the launchpad for a famous victory.
Jansen’s Five-Wicket Haul Skittles Australia for 99 and Forces the Follow-On
Marco Jansen backed up his half-century with a devastating spell of 5 for 33, running through Australia’s top order as the visitors collapsed to 99 all out in 42.3 overs. Steve Smith’s 28 was the top score in a dismal batting display, with Rabada (2/33) and Mulder (2/14) adding to the carnage.
Trailing by 326 runs, Australia were made to follow on — only the third time since 1988 they had been forced to bat again immediately. Australia’s batting issues were brutally exposed: Marnus Labuschagne has now gone more than three years without a hundred and 14 innings without a fifty, while opener Nic Maddinson looked out of sorts at the top.
Travis Head’s 121 Gives Australia Brief Hope in the Follow-On
Forced to bat again 326 runs behind, Australia showed far greater fight through Travis Head, whose brilliant 121 off 190 balls with 15 fours carried the fight on day four. Head was supported by Marnus Labuschagne (39), Alex Carey (37 not out) and a remarkable rearguard from nightwatchman Scott Boland, who survived 166 balls for a Test-best 40.
Yet South Africa’s attack never let Australia escape. Kagiso Rabada (4/77) won his personal duel with Steven Smith, while Mulder (3/64) and Harmer (2/93) kept striking at key moments.
Final Day: Rabada and Mulder Seal the Innings Victory
On a final day shadowed by rain threats, Wiaan Mulder produced the decisive burst: he ended Travis Head’s defiant century, removed nightwatchman Boland after his 166-ball epic, and then castled captain Pat Cummins. Rabada accounted for Mitchell Starc, and Jansen fittingly finished the game by having Josh Hazlewood caught at slip, sealing the innings triumph with more than 28 overs remaining in the day.
The win came at a cost, though: Anrich Nortje went down with a suspected groin injury, and Bavuma admitted the decision to play him in back-to-back Tests was a gamble. Gerald Coetzee, Corbin Bosch and Senuran Muthusamy are the reserve bowling options for the decider.
Player of the Match: Temba Bavuma’s Career-Best Knock
Temba Bavuma was named Player of the Match for his 179, an innings he described as “definitely there at the top as one of my best”. Arriving with his team in deep trouble at 110 for 6, the captain batted with supreme control, marshalled the tail superbly, and turned a looming defeat into an innings victory.
Turning Points of the 2nd Test
- 110 for 6: South Africa in ruins after a rain-disrupted start, with a draw looking the best-case outcome.
- Jansen-Harmer 183-run stand: the eighth-wicket partnership that flipped the game and drove South Africa to 425/9 declared.
- Jansen 5/33: the spell that skittled Australia for 99 and forced a rare follow-on.
- Head’s 121: Australia’s only genuine resistance in the second innings, briefly delaying the inevitable.
- Mulder’s final-day burst: Head, Boland and Cummins in one spell to break Australia’s back on day five.
Series Impact: 1-1 and the World Test Championship Table
Australia had won the series opener in Durban by 214 runs, but this crushing defeat cuts their World Test Championship 2025-27 lead. Australia still top the table at 75.00% (down from 81.82%), while South Africa, the reigning WTC holders, climb back to third on 66.67% (up from 60.00%), closing in on second-placed New Zealand. With the 3rd Test at Newlands starting Tuesday, October 27, the WTC points on offer could reshape the entire standings heading into 2027.
What Next: Series Decider at Newlands, Cape Town
The series is on a knife-edge. South Africa have momentum, a record-breaking captain and a pace attack firing on all cylinders, while Australia must urgently fix a fragile top order and decide whether Nortje’s injury opens the door for Coetzee or Bosch. The 3rd Test at Newlands (October 27–31) is now one of the most eagerly awaited Tests of the year. Check South Africa’s upcoming matches schedule for all fixtures.
AUS vs SA 2nd Test Result FAQs
Who won the AUS vs SA 2nd Test?
South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, on October 22, 2026, leveling the three-match series 1-1.
Who was the Player of the Match in the 2nd Test?
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, for his career-best 179 that rescued his team from 110 for 6 and set up the innings victory.
What was Australia’s lowest score in the match?
Australia were bowled out for just 99 in their first innings (42.3 overs), with Marco Jansen taking 5 for 33. It was their first innings defeat since 2023.
When is the series decider between South Africa and Australia?
The 3rd Test starts Tuesday, October 27, at Newlands, Cape Town, and runs through October 31. It is also a crucial World Test Championship fixture.
How did the result affect the World Test Championship table?
Australia remain top but drop to 75.00%, while South Africa move back to third on 66.67%, closing the gap on second-placed New Zealand.