South Africa beat Australia to level the Test series 1-1

South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at Gqeberha, leveling the three-match ICC World Test Championship series 1-1. The teams will meet in Cape Town for the series decider.

After weather interruptions affected the first two days, South Africa made 425/9 declared, led by Temba Bavuma’s 179. Bavuma and Simon Harmer, who scored 82, added 183 for the eighth wicket in a record-breaking partnership.

Marco Jansen took 5/33 as Australia were dismissed for 99 in their first innings and made to follow on. Australia ended the penultimate day at 156/4, with an innings defeat looming as play resumed on the final morning.

Travis Head resisted with a century, finishing on 121 from 190 deliveries, with 15 boundaries. His effort could not prevent South Africa’s series-levelling win, which left the contest tied at 1-1.