South Africa Clinch Series 2-1 and Top Test Rankings

South Africa beat Australia by 176 runs in the third Test in Cape Town to win the three-match series 2-1. The win also lifted South Africa to the number one position in the ICC Test rankings.

On a day that belonged to the home bowlers, Simon Harmer claimed 10 wickets in the match. His performance was central to South Africa's success at Newlands.

Australia were set a target of 170 runs but collapsed to 111 all out in their second innings. Four batters failed to score, and seven more were unable to reach double figures. The lack of resistance proved decisive.

Harmer's figures were impressive in both innings. He took 4 wickets in the first innings and then followed up with 6 wickets for 16 runs in 21.1 overs in the second. The Australian batters struggled to read his variations throughout.

His haul makes him the first South African spinner to take 10 wickets in a Test at this Cape Town ground. He is only the third South African spinner to achieve the feat against Australia in a Test, following Hugh Tayfield and Charlie Llewellyn. Tayfield took 13 wickets for 165 runs in 1952, and Llewellyn took 10 wickets for 116 runs in 1902.

The series win also brings an end to a long stretch of frustration for Australia. They last won a Test series in South Africa in 2014, and that wait continues after this defeat.

This was South Africa's third win at Cape Town when batting first, following victories in 2012 and 2017. Australia's loss was their first pair of consecutive Test defeats since 2023.

With the result, South Africa have 124 rating points and sit at the top of the ICC Test rankings. Australia have dropped to second with 122 points. Temba Bavuma's side now lead the Test table.