Kagiso Rabada and Wiaan Mulder cleaned up Australia’s tail to hand South Africa a remarkable innings and 31-run win on day five of the rain-hit second test at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Thursday.
The result levels the three-match series 1-1 heading into the decider in Cape Town next week, despite just 43 overs being possible in the first two days and the entire morning session on day five being washed out.
Built on Temba Bavuma’s career-best 179, plus 85 from Marco Jansen and 82 from Simon Harmer to reach 425-9 declared, South Africa bowled Australia for 99 in the first innings, with Jansen taking 5-33, before enforcing the follow-on.
Australia showed far more fight second time around, finishing on 295.
Night watchman Scott Boland faced 166 balls for 40 in a gritty rearguard, while Travis Head struck his 13th test century with 121 off 190 balls.
Resuming on 156-4, still 170 behind, Australia added 53 through Head and Boland before Mulder deflected Head onto his own stumps.
Steve Smith, battling a neck injury, made three before skying Rabada to midwicket.
After tea at 253-6, Mulder, 3-64, bowled Boland and Pat Cummins. Rabada, 4-77, removed Mitchell Starc for 11 and Jansen had Josh Hazlewood caught for a duck to seal it.
The series decider takes centre stage at Newlands from 10:30am on Tuesday.
