Australia dismissed for 99 and forced to follow on against South Africa

Australia were bowled out for 99 by South Africa in the second Test at Gqeberha, forcing them to follow on for only the third time in 38 years and leaving the hosts with a chance to level the series. [1]

Marco Jansen led the attack with 5-33 as South Africa took nine Australian wickets in fewer than 40 overs on day four. Steve Smith top-scored with 28; no other batter made more than 14, and Australia’s biggest partnership was 23. [1]

The collapse followed a recovery by South Africa, who had been 110-6 early on day three before reaching 425-9 declared, led by captain Temba Bavuma’s 179. That gave them a first-innings lead of 326. [1]

Jansen began the rout by dismissing nightwatchman Scott Boland with his first ball of the day. He later removed Travis Head, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey and Beau Webster, while Anrich Nortje took Marnus Labuschagne’s wicket. Nortje bowled only 3.3 overs because of an apparent groin problem. [1]

Australia had last been made to follow on against India in Sydney in 2019; before that, the previous occasion was against England at Trent Bridge in 2005. Their 326-run deficit was their largest first-innings deficit since a Test against West Indies in November 1984. [1]

South Africa declared their first innings at 425-9 and had more than 150 overs available to bowl Australia out again. [1]