Simon Harmer and Kagiso Rabada delivered outstanding bowling performances as South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test at Newlands, Cape Town, on Saturday.
The victory sealed a 2-1 series triumph and helped South Africa reclaim the No. 1 position in the ICC Test team rankings. Chasing 288 for victory, Australia were bowled out for just 111 in their second innings. Harmer claimed six wickets for 16 runs in 21.1 overs, while Rabada took three for 14 in a devastating opening spell.
Rabada dismissed Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head before reaching the milestone of 350 Test wickets. Harmer then dismantled the middle and lower order, removing Alex Carey, Beau Webster, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.
Earlier, centuries from Ryan Rickelton (101) and Wiaan Mulder (115) powered South Africa to 387 in their second innings, setting Australia a challenging target. Australia had won the opening Test, but South Africa bounced back to claim the next two matches and the series.