Sun shines in Gqeberha as South Africa battle back on day three against Australia

PothikTV News Desk: 20 October 2026, 9:18 am

Play resumed 15 minutes earlier than scheduled on day three of the second Test between South Africa and Australia at St George’s Park in Gqeberha, following two days heavily disrupted by rain. With sunny conditions and temperatures reaching 20 degrees Celsius, South Africa restarted their first innings from 97 for 5, looking to recover lost ground after only 43 overs were possible over the opening two days.

Scott Boland, who took four wickets for 31 runs across the first two days, opened the bowling attack alongside Australian captain Pat Cummins. Boland quickly tested South African captain Temba Bavuma and Wiaan Mulder, though Mulder managed early boundaries, including a deflection off Boland’s fielding attempt at fine leg to bring up South Africa’s hundred.

Australia broke through in the 50th over when Mitchell Starc delivered a targeted bouncer to Mulder. After facing five full-pitched deliveries, Mulder was squared up by the short ball, deflecting a blow off his glove and helmet to slip. Although the on-field umpire initially ruled no edge, a review requested by Starc and Matt Renshaw confirmed the contact via soundwave analysis, leaving South Africa at 110 for 6.

Marco Jansen joined Bavuma at the crease and took an aggressive approach. Jansen hit several quick boundaries, including an on-drive off Boland and a straight drive over long-off for six. Bavuma remained composed at the other end, reaching his half-century with a glance to the leg-side boundary off Starc in the 54th over.

Josh Hazlewood was restricted from bowling early in the session due to regulations regarding time spent off the field due to illness on day two. As a result, Cummins and Starc rotated the bowling duties before the drinks break, with Boland continuing his spell from the opposite end.

Jansen continued his counter-attack against Cummins, pulling a short ball just over the boundary fielder at deep square leg for six. In the 60th over, Cummins nearly bowled Jansen with a late yorker that narrowly missed the off stump, leaving South Africa at 173 for 6, with Bavuma on 61 and Jansen on 44.