Harmer, Rabada Steer South Africa to Series Win Over Australia

Harmer, Rabada – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Harmer, Rabada steer South Africa to a stunning 176-run victory over Australia at Newlands on Saturday. The win gives the hosts a 2-1 series triumph.

Chasing 288 for victory, the tourists were bowled out for just 111. The result also lifts South Africa to the top of the Test world rankings for the first time since January 2016.

Spinner Simon Harmer was the star of the day. He took a career-best 6-16 and finished with 10-120 in the match. It was also his first ten-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Kagiso Rabada made history early on. He became the fastest bowler by balls delivered to reach 350 Test wickets. He needed 13,808 deliveries, fewer than Dale Steyn (14,719) and Waqar Younis (14,905).

Australia lost two wickets in the first over of the final day. Rabada removed Matt Renshaw for a duck, caught behind by Ryan Rickelton. He then trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg before wicket for four.

Travis Head soon followed, caught at gully by Marco Jansen. Josh Inglis was then run out for four while going for a quick single. Australia slumped to 62 for eight.

Harmer took the last six wickets. Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon fought back with a ninth-wicket stand lasting 17.2 overs. Harmer then trapped Cummins lbw and bowled Josh Hazlewood to end the game before tea.

Cummins admitted his side never gave themselves a chance. “Within the first hour the game was away from us,” he said. Many fans will also question the choice to bowl first, which left Australia batting last on a wearing pitch.

Harmer said he enjoyed every moment. “Today was a lot of fun, fielders around the bat and trying to get the win,” he said.

The victory also keeps alive South Africa’s hopes of defending their World Test Championship title next year. They beat Australia at Lord’s in the 2025 final.