Temba Bavuma has teased that one of his finest wins as South Africa captain could still lie ahead in Cape Town, and he believes the Proteas have the momentum to win the decider.
Bavuma was crucial in the Proteas’ innings-and-31-run victory over Australia in Gqeberha, with his 179 laying the foundation before the tourists collapsed. The result sets up a third Test at Newlands from next Tuesday, where South Africa can extend an unbeaten run in home series that dates back to 2020.
If there was any example of how much Thursday’s win meant to Bavuma and his side, it came with the wicket of Steve Smith on the final day. With Australia’s best batter having skied Kagiso Rabada to mid-wicket, Bavuma turned away and could not watch as Matthew Breetzke settled under the catch.
A captaincy record among the best
Bavuma’s record as South Africa captain now ranks among the finest in the country’s history. He has won 12 Tests, drawn one and lost one since taking over in 2023.
Asked on Thursday whether this latest win was his most special as leader, apart from last year’s World Test Championship final victory, Bavuma suggested the best may be yet to come.
“The Newlands one most probably would be, if things go according to plan,” he said, pointing to Tuesday’s third Test.
“Sometimes as a team, we forget that the target is on our back and everyone wants to have a go at us.
“Everyone wants us to show our mettle as the current world champions, and everything that we do is under the microscope.”
Bavuma admitted that the 214-run loss to Australia in Durban the previous week had served as a wake-up call. It was also his first defeat as captain.
“It was a realisation of that, but also a realisation of what it means coming up against super strong opposition,” he said.
“So from a pride point of view, from a belief point of view, we’ve definitely strengthened that by being able to perform like that.
“Momentum is a big thing, so I think that’s something that once you’ve achieved, you want to protect it, and that’s exactly what we’ll be trying to do.”
A comeback for the ages
The win in Gqeberha ranks among the Proteas’ best performances. They recovered from 6-110 in their first innings after a wet opening two days.
Bavuma was not the only South African to shine. Marco Jansen strengthened his claim to being the game’s best allrounder, scoring 85 and taking 5-33. Simon Harmer made 82 as a lower-order batter, Wiaan Mulder took 3-64 in Australia’s second innings, and Kagiso Rabada claimed six wickets on his return.
Rabada will also benefit from the outing, having come through his first game of any kind since May.
The Proteas face one forced change after Anrich Nortje suffered a groin injury. Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee are all options to come in.
Series details and squads
Qantas tour of South Africa 2026
All matches will be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket.
Second Test: South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs.
Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local time).
South Africa squad for the second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster.