South Africa conjure comeback win despite losing two days to rain
Mulder played a key role on the final day, ending Head's century and removing nightwatcher Boland after he had survived 166 balls
18/10Result
2nd Test, Australia tour of South Africa at Gqeberha, Oct 18-22 2026
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![South Africa]( "South Africa")
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![Australia]( "Australia")
99 & 295 (107.1 ov) (f/o)
Player of the Match
18/10Result
2nd Test, Australia tour of South Africa at Gqeberha, Oct 18-22 2026
-
![South Africa]( "South Africa")
-
![Australia]( "Australia")
99 & 295 (107.1 ov) (f/o)
Player of the Match
Day 5
Day 4
Jansen five-for sets up South Africa's victory push
Head led Australia's second-innings fightback with an unbeaten 87 after they folded for 99 in the first
Day 3
Bavuma's impeccable 179 turns the Test on its head
Jansen and Harmer also struck half-centuries, lifting SA to a position where they could still push for a series-levelling victory
Day 2
Bavuma fights but Boland's four puts Australia in complete control
A total of 146 overs have been lost in the Test so far, but with minimal more rain forecast in Gqeberha, Australia will believe they have enough time to make it 2-0
Day 1
Rain and Boland hound South Africa in Gqeberha
Hosts are 20 for 2 after only 12.2 overs of play was possible on the opening day
Others
What Temba Bavuma's innings reaffirmed about the enduring art of batting
His 179 in the Gqeberha Test came off the back of a simple philosophy - play it close, play it late
Jansen says he is ready to 'come back again and again' after star turn in Gqeberha
Jansen has already made an 85 in the first innings, taken a five-for, and effected a third-innings run out in the second Test as South Africa look to level series
Anrich Nortje walks off with suspected groin injury in second Test
South Africa will likely play the rest of the game one bowler down as they look to enforce the follow-on against Australia
Batting wind blows in Gqeberha but Australia fail to soak it up
Spotlight back on Labuschagne's Test spot after twin failures put Australia on the brink
'Can't defend that' - Australia's batting deficiencies exposed
Australia coach Andrew McDonald backed the longer term record of his side after they were bundled out for 99
'We obviously want to go for the win' - Bavuma's 179 gives South Africa a chance to dream
South Africa are now the only side with a realistic chance of winning although being able to enforce the follow-on will likely be key to the outcome
SA's middle order in a muddle and Conrad wants them to 'get bloody better'
The SA coach could look for middle-order replacements outside the current squad but he cautioned against overreacting to their 214-run loss against Australia
When South Africa stumbled, Bavuma stood tall
As the band at St George's Park rumbled into action, Bavuma showcased his growth as a batter and leader with a century for the ages
SA flex their championship mettle through rain, nerves and late drama
The hosts rediscovered their champion spirit, turning adversity into opportunity and belief into a statement win that reshapes the series
Ever-ready Boland makes a virtue of limited game-time
Limited play is no obstacle to seamer whose strikes have left SA on the back foot
Cummins: Australia can't 'paper over cracks' after innings thrashing
Australia will need to seriously consider changes to their batting line-up for the deciding Test in Cape Town
'Everyone wants to have a go at us' - Bavuma on life as world champions
Rabada's spirit, Jansen's performance and Bavuma's own runs offered a strong response from the WTC champions after going down in Durban last week
St. George's Park: A historic old ground
The oldest Test venue in South Africa is full of charm and significance
Lyon left out as Australia go all-pace and bowl first on damp day
Kagiso Rabada returns for South Africa with Keshav Maharaj squeezed out as they look to level the series
Green 'progressing well' but still uncertain for second Test
Josh Inglis has returned to the nets after rejoining the squad following the fractured finger he suffered in the first ODI
'I just like to let the game take me' - Kagiso Rabada is back, staying firmly in the moment
He's playing his first Test match in 12 months with South Africa 1-0 down, but he's trying not to look too far ahead. "Otherwise you'll drive yourself crazy"
Markram misses training but set to play Gqeberha Test
He did not travel with the SA squad from Durban to Gqeberha after the first match
Hazlewood backs reverse swing to remain a key factor in Gqeberha
Australia's quick exploited Durban's abrasive surface to find reverse swing and their depth of pace options offers further confidence heading into the second Test
Bedingham looks to make most of second chance after 'down year'
After a dream start to his Test career followed by a difficult 2025, Bedingham reminded himself he doesn't need the outside noise as he looks to cement his place in the side
The Head scratcher: where do Australia get the best out of him?
Head's away numbers need improvement. But if needed, Australia's flexible batting order could provide him opportunities for an in-game move
Rickelton ready for 'extra responsibility' with keeping gloves
He has never kept wicket in a Test, but Kruger van Wyk, SA's fielding coach, backs Rickelton for the role after plenty of white-ball experience
Stubbs dropped, Rickelton to keep wicket in Gqeberha Test
Matthew Breetzke has been brought into South Africa's 17-man squad
Cameron Green in doubt for Gqeberha Test
Green returned to the nets for the first time on Thursday, but only faced gentle throwdowns and did some slip catching on the outfield
One-off or a pattern? Why Lyon's omission is about more than conditions
Boland's strong case and Australia's pace riches have turned Lyon's once-unthinkable omission into a recurring selection debate
Rabada's back to bolster South Africa as Australia chase series win
South Africa given huge boost by fitness of their leading quick but both sides wait to name their XIs with uncertainty over conditions and the weather