Harmer shines as South Africa wins third Test against Australia to claim series 2-1

South Africa's Simon Harmer celebrates his seventh wicket of the match during the fifth day of the third Test match between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 31, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Simon Harmer picked a career-best 6-16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third Test by 176 runs and clinch the three-match series 2-1 on Saturday (October 31, 2026).Australia crumbled in Cape Town after being set 288 to win on Day 5 of the deciding match of the series.The Proteas rallied from 1-0 down in the first Test series between the teams in South Africa since the “Sandpapergate” scandal in 2018.Harmer, a 37-year-old off-spinner, finished with match figures of 10-120 — his first ten-wicket haul in Tests — after South Africa made 329 and 387 in its two innings, while Australia scored 429 in its first to take a 100-run lead at NewlandsKagiso Rabada took 3-39 on Saturday (October 31) to reach 350 career Test wickets.Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton had scored centuries on day four to set up a 288-run target, but Australia collapsed to 60-7 at lunch on day five morning.Australia had won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, and South Africa won the second test in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs.With the victory, South Africa dethroned Australia for the top spot in the ICC test team rankings. Published - October 31, 2026 07:52 pm IST