South Africa Stun Australia in Cape Town to Reclaim No. 1 Spot in ICC Test Rankings

South Africa produced a stunning comeback to defeat Australia by 176 runs in the third and deciding Test at Cape Town on Saturday, sealing the series 2-1 and reclaiming the No. 1 position in the ICC Test team rankings. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the chief architect of the victory, delivering a career-best six-wicket haul as Australia were bowled out for just 111 while chasing 288.

Australia’s batting line-up crumbled on the fifth morning at Newlands, losing their final three wickets after slipping to 60-7 before lunch. Harmer finished with remarkable match figures of 10-120, recording his first 10-wicket haul in Test cricket.

The 37-year-old’s second-innings figures of 6-16 left Australia with no answers as South Africa completed a memorable victory in the series decider.

The Proteas had laid the foundation for the win on Day 4, when Wiaan Mulder and Ryan Rickelton struck centuries to take South Africa’s second-innings total to 387. Having scored 329 in their first innings, the hosts set Australia a challenging target of 288.

Australia had earlier taken control of the match with 429 in their first innings, securing a 100-run lead. However, their second-innings collapse turned the contest decisively in South Africa’s favour.

Kagiso Rabada also reached a significant milestone, claiming three wickets for 39 runs to complete 350 career Test wickets.

South Africa’s triumph marked an impressive turnaround after losing the opening Test in Durban by 214 runs. They bounced back in Gqeberha with an innings-and-31-run victory before completing the series comeback in Cape Town.

The result also carried added significance as it was the first Test series between the sides in South Africa since the 2018 ‘Sandpapergate’ scandal. With the victory, South Africa dethroned Australia at the top of the world Test rankings.