Harmer the hero as South Africa clinches series win

South Africa's Simon Harmer is congratulated by South Africa's Matthew Breetzke for his sixth wicket of the day on day five of the third cricket test match between South Africa and Australia, in Cape Town, South Africa, on October 31, 2026. | Photo Credit: AP Simon Harmer picked up a career-best six for 16 as South Africa bowled out Australia for 111 to win the third Test by 176 runs and clinch the three-match series 2-1 in Newlands on Saturday (October 31, 2026).The 37-year-old off-spinner finished with match figures of 10 for 120, his first 10-wicket haul in Tests. Harmer’s second-innings figures read: 21.1-14-16-6.Kagiso Rabada took three for 39 to reach 350 Test wickets.Set a 288-run target, Australia collapsed to 60 for seven at lunch before Nathan Lyon (33 not out) and captain Pat Cummins (11) offered some resistance.The visitors had a tough morning session as Kagiso Rabada and Harmer took three wickets each.The day began with Australia getting off to a poor start as Rabada dismissed the in-form Matt Renshaw for a golden duck, caught behind down the leg-side.Australia’s previous lowest fourth innings total against South Africa was 107 — also at Cape Town — back in 2018, when it lost by 322 runs. With the win, South Africa displaced Australia from the top of the ICC Test rankings.The scores:South Africa 329 & 387 bt Australia 429 & 111 in 57.1 overs (Harmer 6/16).Player-of-the-Match: Harmer.Player-of-the-Series: Jansen. Published - November 01, 2026 05:15 am IST