Australia suffered its worst single day under captain Pat Cummins on October 22, 2026, losing 13 wickets in Gqeberha and tumbling to 99 all out before following on against South Africa, who ultimately secured an innings-and-31-run victory to level the Test series.
Before play commenced on the fourth morning at St George’s Park, Australia coach Andrew McDonald gathered the touring squad in the outdoor nets for a rare collective address, aiming to steady the team after a difficult day three as reported by the Sydney Morning Herald. Whatever message was delivered inside that circle failed to translate onto the pitch as the tourists unraveled against a relentless Proteas bowling attack.
iTemba Lamarhumsha!!! 🤌A brilliant innings under pressure that proved pivotal in an emphatic victory for #TheProteas in the second Dafabet Test Match! 🇿🇦Ladies and gentlemen, your Player of the Match, the skipper, Temba Bavuma! 👏🏏#Unbreakable #SAvAUS pic.twitter.com/3WWjnsir1B
Australia Collapses for 99 and Follows On
Replying to South Africa’s declared total of 425 detailed by Sky Sports, Australia suffered an extraordinary batting meltdown. Left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansen tore through the lineup with 5-33 noted by ABC News, capitalizing on an aggressive spell while South Africa operated a bowler down following an early injury to Anrich Nortje. Not since 2011 at Newlands, when they similarly surrendered 13 wickets, have the Australians experienced such a high single-day wicket tally.
The visitors were dismissed for just 99 in 42.4 overs, forcing captain Temba Bavuma to enforce the follow-on. It marked only the third time Australia has been forced to follow on since 1988, and the loss of 13 wickets across a single calendar day matched their modern nadir. Not since the 1969-70 series—the final encounters between these teams prior to the conclusion of Apartheid—had South Africa been in a position to impose the follow-on against Australia.
Masterful 179 from captain @TembaBavuma dragged South Africa back into the Test series against Australia. They recovered from 110/6 to reach 425/9d in the second Test. #bbccricket #SAvAUS https://t.co/7aFNB96a3Q
I can’t defend that,
Andrew McDonald, Australia coach
Former Australia batter Phil Jaques noted on ABC that he got the feeling Andrew McDonald was getting very impatient for a response from the batting group.
Travis Head and Scott Boland Fight Back
Faced with a 326-run deficit, Australia mounted a second-innings salvage operation that nearly extended the contest into its final stages. Travis Head anchored the resistance with a patient 121 runs from 190 balls reported by The Guardian, raising his first official away Test century outside of neutral venues.
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨What a phenomenal game, what an incredible display from #TheProteas! An absolutely heart-stopping performance! 🤩Bavuma led the way with the bat, and our bowlers ran riot with the ball! 💪🔥#TheProteas level the series 1-1 with a comprehensive victory by… pic.twitter.com/E89Ki6tyIj
At the other end, nightwatchman Scott Boland delivered a defensive display. Wiaan Mulder took three key second-innings wickets, including the nightwatcher Scott Boland, as the hosts eventually worked through the resistance.
Marnus Labuschagne Dismissal Draws Scrutiny
Number three batsman Marnus Labuschagne drew severe scrutiny following his second-innings dismissal for 39. Labuschagne attempted to hit spinner Simon Harmer to long-on, reported by Sky Sports. The dismissal extended a frustrating statistical drought, leaving Labuschagne without an international century across 47 innings noted by the BBC.
Commentators and former players did not hold back in their assessment of the stroke selection. Former Australia batter Simon Katich described the shot as something he could hang his head backwards and think he’s unlucky for, while wondering what’s going through his mind.
Series Tied Ahead of Cape Town
Wiaan Mulder dismantled the lower order with 3 for 64 on the final day, removing Boland and Cummins before Kagiso Rabada wrapped up the tail detailed by The Guardian. Australia was bowled out for 295 in their second innings noted by the New Zealand Herald, handing South Africa a victory by an innings and 31 runs reported by the BBC.
Australia forced to follow on in away Test for the first time since 2005. South Africa on course for series levelling win after extraordinary day in Gqeberha. #bbccricket #SAvAUS https://t.co/b1jgHdmukk
With the series tied at 1-1 following Australia’s opening victory in Durban reported by Sky Sports, both squads travel to Cape Town for the deciding Test match starting in five days noted by Agence France-Presse.