South Africa captain Temba Bavuma struck a career-best 179 to lead a determined recovery before the hosts declared their first innings at 425-9 on the third day of the second Test against Australia at Saint George’s Park on Tuesday.
Bavuma recorded his fifth Test century in a patient 226-ball knock, while Marco Jansen scored 85 from 100 deliveries and Simon Harmer added 82 to frustrate Australia’s bowlers.
South Africa had resumed on 97-5 after rain restricted play to just 43 overs across the first two days, but Bavuma and Jansen turned the contest around with a 132-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
The stand surpassed South Africa’s previous record for the seventh wicket at St George’s Park, an 89-run partnership against England in 1896.
Jansen attacked Australia’s bowlers before falling to Scott Boland in the first over with the second new ball. Boland finished with 5-63, his third five-wicket haul in Test cricket and first outside Australia.
Bavuma continued to anchor the innings alongside Harmer, extending South Africa’s resistance before he was dismissed for 179.
Australia had made an early breakthrough on Tuesday when Mitchell Starc removed Wiaan Mulder for 13. Mulder gloved a short-pitched delivery to slip fielder Matt Renshaw while attempting to evade it, with the dismissal confirmed after a review.
The wicket was Starc’s 450th in Test cricket.
South Africa’s recovery gave them a substantial total after Australia dominated the opening Test in Durban, winning by 214 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Bavuma’s innings, supported by Jansen’s aggressive batting and Harmer’s determined contribution, helped the hosts recover from a precarious position and put pressure back on the visitors in the second Test.
The series continues as South Africa seek to level the contest, while Australia aim to strengthen their position with another victory.
