Player of the Match
Player of the Match

3:36pm Time for the presentation.

Simon Harmer, the Player of the Match for his 10 for 120 in the Test: "It was just dealing with expectations. Putting that to one side and understanding what I had to do. As soon as partnerships started to build, playing with my trajectories and nuances I have learned along the way. It was about getting the win today, worked out nicely. The way KG took three wickets, after that it was about playing for a draw for them. To be able to bowl in that situation, guys around the bat, the theatre, creating pressure, goes a long way and makes my job easier. Tough few weeks but will enjoy tonight. The wickets haven't offered much time as expected on days four and five. I ask myself if I have bowled well enough. In PE I was desperate for wickets. I try to bowl with control in the first innings and exploit and take wickets in the second. Was nice to just bowl freely and try to do your thing. I don't think I would change my journey for anything. The person I have become... just chuffed (tears in his eyes)."

Marco Jansen, the Player of the Series, for his 198 runs and 13 wickets: "Very intense series. A lot of pressure, lot of ebbs and flows. Standing her tired but awesome series to be a part of. Takes a lot out of you, proud of the boys. Happy to have got the series win. Every ground had a different aspect to it. Had to adapt to a certain extent. Having to assess conditions and make your decisions was key. Making the right choice was harder. Every wicket was different. Seeing KG running and doing his thing with flow, Harmy turning the ball also puts a good kind of pressure on you to do well for the guy next to you. I am very happy to see the hard work I am putting in coming off. About extending it all for as long as possible. It is about putting the team in winning position. If we win and if I can contribute, I am a happy man."

Pat Cummins, Australia captain: "Really ebbed and flowed. We did brilliantly to take ten wickets on day one and gave ourselves a chance. Ending day three 4 for 40 in great position. Really tough day yesterday and made chasing today a tough task. We have found people to step up in others' absence seamlessly. Trend of this game was once you got yourself in, runs were on offer. We didn't give ourselves a chance today. We're a really good side. Tough opponents away from home, that's difficult. We came here thinking we are good enough to win, but we weren't. Overall relatively happy. It comes down to the little moments. You wish you had the little moments - a catch went to hand or things like that. South Africa were better than us in those moments."

Temba Bavuma, South Africa captain: "You've got to acknowledge the Newlands faithful. In terms of the game, they added their force to it. We wanted to carry on with the momentum from yesterday. Our conversation was about the character of the team coming out. Rickelton and Mulder put us in a good position. Rabada got everything going today, and we managed to keep a tight grip on things. Our bowling attack has been the backbone of the team. It's why we are successful. When the wicket suits fast bowlers, we have the bowlers and even on spin tracks. Disappointed on how Harmer went in GQ but he is a fighter. Firstly it has been an enthralling 15 days of cricket. Saw two quality sides coming up and exploiuting each other's weaknesses. There were times we were in awe of the Australians. We play better when we are behind in the game, don't know if it is good or bad. [Ranking] Exceptional. That has been part of our ambition as a team. Want to push standards as high as we can. Want to leave the Proteas badge in a better place. Everytime you get an opportunity to come up against Australia, you savour that. Want to get one-up over them. Haven't been involved in a better series. This win is No. 1. We've made positive strides to where we want to be. With all the emotions we've gone through, need to give it time to settle. After a week we will meet and start preparing for Bangladesh. For now it is about soaking in and realise what we have achieved."

Bavuma now goes on to collect the winner's trophy from the CSA CEO. He then walks over to his team to celebrate. South Africa are now the No. 1 ranked Test team in the ICC rankings. They are second on the World Test Championship table, with only a narrow gap behind leaders New Zealand. Australia have slipped to third. What a series this has been. Engrossing from start to end. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Do watch this space for more reactions and analysis from the series. On behalf of our scorers today Chandan, Raghav as well as my co-commentator Alex, goodbye! Thanks for keeping us company with your quips and comments. Till the next time, take care! Ciao aficionados!

3:17pm Harmer waves to the crowd having completed his first ten-for in Test cricket - 6 for 16 to go with his 4 for 104 in the first dig. He is congratulated by his team-mates and the umpires. What a series this has been. A gripping Test to end the tour as well. Australia thoroughly outplayed here on this fifth day.

This never-give-up attitude was almost a pattern of the series, even if the final innings ended in a whimper. One team pushed back to the wall. Then mounting a comeback. And then finding a superhero that takes them to a win. Renshaw in Durban, Bavuma in GQ, Rickelton, Mulder and Harmer at various points here in Cape Town. What a Test match, what a series!

South Africans continue to celebrate and revel in their achievement. Harmer signs his match ball and poses with it for the cameras. Gets a bear hug from head coach Shukri Conrad as well. Australians looking stunned, little would they have expected to be blown away like this. Crossing the 100-run mark just a mere solace. South Africa now take a lap of the ground to thank the fans and wave to them. Final attendance at Newlands is 9729

Chris: "The one thing that stands out in this team of Bavuma's over last couple of years is their ability to dig themselves out of a hole, whether it's in a match or in a series. "

Kasinathan : "Nelson playing his hand in Australia's last wicket"

Krishna Kamaksh: "Forget the hype around T20 leagues. Give me a fiercely contested South Africa vs Australia Test series any day! Five days, changing conditions, tactical battles and nerves of steel. Nothing comes close to the beauty of Test cricket. ❤️"

mark: "Best test series I have saw after sometime"

Kedar: "After the first test, I thought why couldn't they lose like this against India. What happened to Bavuma and Jansen now who had made life difficult for India? They both rose to the occasion in the second test and even more stars contributed in this test. Great series!"

Harry: "Congrats to South Africa, incredible all around display of cricket and they are deserving victors. As for Australia, these top order collapses are looking all too familiar and it costs them the series here. Lots to look at before the NZ series."

Maiwand: "In street cricket we have best of 3 first and when we lose 2 we make it to best of 5 . Can we get best of 5 here b/c of the wonderful series of test cricket we had.."

Abby: "My 3 takeaways from the series - 1) The pitches were brilliant, 2) SA is forging a 'fighter mindset'...will be the team to watch and follow in coming decade 3) Australia's selection policy is no smarter than a five year old selecting candies right now. And a request - Pls pls five test series between these two sides.."

A reminder to play today's daily puzzles on CRICINFO GAMES.

57.1
W
Harmer to Hazlewood, OUT, A maiden ten-wicket haul in Test cricket for Harmer! And he has outspun Australia at Newlands! A famous win for South Africa, who were practically 81 for 5 in the second innings having conceded a 100-run first-innings lead. A come-from-behind win at its best. Tossed up ball, dips and lands on middle and draws Hazlewood forward before spinning away viciously to hit top of off. Superb delivery, and Harmer on top of things with his sixth wicket of the innings. A 176-run win for South Africa to take the series 2-1

JR Hazlewood b Harmer 0 (6m 4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0

END OF OVER:
57 | 4 Runs | AUS: 111/9

  • Nathan Lyon33 (57b)
  • Josh Hazlewood0 (3b)
  • Aiden Markram6-2-13-0
  • Simon Harmer21-14-16-5
56.6
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Low full toss outside off, drives it square through off and the fielder at cover-point makes a diving stop to keep Hazlewood on strike for the next over. Looks like Harmer it is
56.5
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Yorker on middle, jams his bat to dig it out
56.4
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Fuller just outside off, blocked solidly off the front foot

James: "Drives me nuts how little respect Lyon gets despite 573 wickets at a better per match rate than Warne. As soon as he doesn't get a Michelle people act like he's a village cricket pie chucker. "

56.3
4
Markram to Lyon, FOUR, Half-tracker on middle and leg, Lyon rocks back and hammers it past leg slip. Into the 30s goes Lyon!

Chetan: "Cummins played 90 balls, Lyon scored most runs show that Aus should have negated new ball."

56.2
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Goes back to steer it but almost edges it behind
56.1
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Full outside off from around the wicket, blocked off the front foot

StevO: "Wel well well... Harmer did say SA will defend 120, 150 would be enough. Credit to him he has bowled like a dream! "

END OF OVER:
56 | (wicket maiden) | AUS: 107/9

  • Josh Hazlewood0 (3b)
  • Nathan Lyon29 (51b)
  • Simon Harmer21-14-16-5
  • Aiden Markram5-2-9-0
55.6
0
Harmer to Hazlewood, no run, Full on off and middle, 82.4kph, blocked. A wicket-maiden for Harmer
55.5
0
Harmer to Hazlewood, no run, Fuller on middle, defended off the front foot
55.4
0
Harmer to Hazlewood, no run, Full outside leg, kept out back down the ground

Josh Hazlewood the last man in

Travis: "How did he miss a straight one from that angle??? Bizarre really" Played for the spin

55.3
W
Harmer to Cummins, OUT, Huge appeal and there's the breakthrough after 17 overs! A five-for for Simon Harmer! Hold on, Cummins reviews quite immediately. Tossed up from around the stumps, it lands on a length and just goes straight on. Once again Cummins plays for the spin and is just beaten on the outside edge. Hits him on the back thigh guard but the ball does not have a lot to travel thereon. Umpire's call on clipping the off bail. And that is the end of Cummins' vigil. Stonewalled solidly but that is all it is for now. South Africa one away from a come-from-behind win

PJ Cummins lbw b Harmer 11 (117m 90b 1x4 0x6) SR: 12.22

55.2
0
Harmer to Cummins, no run, Fuller and outside off, 85.4kph, goes on with the arm. He pushes forward to play for the spin and is beaten
55.1
0
Harmer to Cummins, no run, Full and well wide outside off from around the wicket, he leaves it

Praaad: "Now Lyon becomes the highest scorer for this innings"

END OF OVER:
55 | 2 Runs | AUS: 107/8

  • Nathan Lyon29 (51b)
  • Pat Cummins11 (87b)
  • Aiden Markram5-2-9-0
  • Simon Harmer20-13-16-4
54.6
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Pushes forward to defend the 88kph arm ball but is beaten on the outside edge

Raj: "I also feel Harmer is playing with a lot of confidence right now. Lyon, on the other hand, has been in and out of the team, which can affect a player's confidence and ultimately have an impact on their performance."

54.5
2
Markram to Lyon, 2 runs, Full outside off, driven through extra cover for a couple

Around

54.4
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Fuller outside off, driven back to the bowler, 93.3kph
54.3
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Fuller outside off, blocked to silly point, 93.7kph
54.2
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Fuller around off, pushed back to the bowler
54.1
0
Markram to Lyon, no run, Fuller on off, pushed to silly mid-on

Australia 4th innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st1TM HeadMT Renshaw
2nd4TM HeadM Labuschagne
3rd17TM HeadC Green
4th18JP InglisC Green
5th2AT CareyC Green
6th0C GreenCPL Connolly
7th18MA StarcC Green
8th2PJ CumminsC Green
9th45NM LyonPJ Cummins
10th4NM LyonJR Hazlewood