Renshaw glanced the ball down the leg side, where wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton produced a diving catch.

CAPE TOWN: South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third Test at Newlands on Saturday, securing the series after bowling out the visitors for 111 on the fifth day.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada struck twice in the opening over and claimed a third wicket in a devastating opening spell, dismantling Australia’s top order as the visitors resumed the day needing 288 runs for victory.

Off-spinner Simon Harmer then produced a career-best performance, taking six wickets for just 16 runs in 21.1 overs as South Africa completed the victory shortly before tea.

Rabada and Harmer Destroy Australia’s Batting Line-up

Australia suffered another setback when Josh Inglis was run out following Rabada’s early strikes.

Harmer then claimed two wickets in three deliveries, reducing the visitors to 42-6 and leaving them facing an uphill battle.

Australia reached lunch at 60-7 after Mitchell Starc was caught at short leg. However, South Africa had to remain in the field for another two hours before wrapping up the innings, reflecting the series’ repeated momentum shifts.

Rabada’s Early Breakthroughs Set the Tone

Travis Head managed a single from Rabada’s second delivery of the day, but Matt Renshaw, Australia’s leading run-scorer in the series, was dismissed for a duck.

Renshaw glanced the ball down the leg side, where wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton produced a diving catch.

Three deliveries later, Marnus Labuschagne was given out leg-before wicket after being struck by a sharply swinging delivery. A review upheld the umpire’s decision through the umpire’s call on off stump.

Head was Rabada’s third victim when he edged a delivery while attempting an attacking shot. Marco Jansen took a reflex catch at gully, prompting celebrations among the South African players after the dismissal of a batter capable of producing a match-changing innings.

South Africa Set to Challenge for Top Test Ranking

South Africa, the defending World Test champions, were projected to replace Australia at the top of the International Cricket Council’s world Test rankings following the series victory.

All three matches in the series produced a result on the fifth day, underlining the closely contested nature of the encounters despite South Africa’s eventual triumph.