South Africa's greatest glory still awaits: Bavuma

Temba Bavuma has teased that one of his finest wins as South Africa captain could still lay ahead in Cape Town, believing South Africa has the momentum for the decider.

Bavuma was crucial in the Proteas' innings-and-31-run victory over Australia in Gqeberha, with his 179 laying the foundation before the tourists' capitulation.

That has set up a decider at Newlands from next Tuesday in Cape Town, where the Proteas have the chance to extend an unbeaten run in home series that dates back to 2020.

If there was any example of how much Thursday's win meant to Bavuma and South Africa, it was there in Steve Smith's wicket on the final day.

With Australia's best batter having skied Kagiso Rabada to mid-wicket, Bavuma was spotted turning away and unable to watch as Matthew Breetzke settled under it.

Bavuma's record as South Africa captain is now one of the greatest in history, having won 12 Tests, drawn one and lost one since taking over in 2023.

Asked on Thursday if this most recent win was his most special as leader outside of last year's Test Championship final victory, Bavuma suggested the best may be yet to come.

"The Newlands one most probably would be, if things go according to plan," he said, pointing to Tuesday's third Test.

"Sometimes as a team, we forget that the target is on our back and everyone wants to have a go at us.

"Everyone wants us to show our mettle as the current world champions, and everything that we do is under the microscope."

Bavuma indicated last week's 214-run loss to Australia in Durban had been a wake-up call for his side, which doubled as his first defeat as captain.

"It was a realisation of that, but also a realisation of what it means coming up against super strong opposition," he said.

"So from a pride point of view, from a belief point of view, we've definitely strengthened that by being able to perform like that.

"Momentum is a big thing, so I think that's something that once you've achieved, you want to protect it, and that's exactly what we'll be trying to do."

This win in Gqeberha was one of the Proteas' best, after coming back from 6-110 in their first innings following a wet opening two days.

Bavuma was not alone in starring for South Africa. Marco Jansen enhanced his status as the game's best allrounder with 85 and 5-33.

Simon Harmer scored 82 as a lower-order batter, Wiaan Mulder claimed 3-64 in Australia's second innings, and Kagiso Rabada claimed six wickets on return.

Rabada will also no doubt be better for the run, having gotten through his first game of any sort since May.

The Proteas will have one forced change after Anrich Nortje's groin injury, with Dane Paterson, Corbin Bosch and Gerald Coetzee all options to come in.

Qantas tour of South Africa 2026

All matches to be broadcast exclusively in Australia on Kayo and Fox Cricket

First Test: Australia won by 214 runs

Second Test: South Africa won by an innings and 31 runs

Third Test: October 27-31, Newlands, Cape Town, 7:30pm AEDT (10:30am local)

South Africa squad for second Test: Temba Bavuma (c), Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Matthew Breetzke, Corbin Bosch, Gerald Coetzee, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Anrich Nortje, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Kyle Verreynne.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Sam Harper, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (second Test onwards), Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nic Maddinson, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster