South Africa beat Australia to level series and set up decider

South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha to level the two-Test series and set up a decider in Cape Town.

Australia, needing to bat out the final day to save the match, were dismissed for 295 after rain wiped out the morning session. Travis Head made 121 and Scott Boland resisted for 40 from 166 balls, but South Africa claimed the six wickets they needed in the final session.

Kagiso Rabada took 4-77, while Wiaan Mulder removed Head, Boland and Australia captain Pat Cummins. Marco Jansen took the final wicket, adding to his five-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings.

The result completed a remarkable turnaround after South Africa’s 214-run defeat in the first Test. The hosts had been 40-4 and later 110-6 in their first innings in Gqeberha before captain Temba Bavuma’s 179 helped them reach 425-9 declared. Australia were then bowled out for 99 and forced to follow on.

The third Test begins in Cape Town on Tuesday.