South Africa beat Australia by an innings to force Cape Town decider

South Africa defeated Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at Gqeberha, taking the six wickets they needed on the final day to level the series. According to BBC Sport's match report, the hosts completed the victory in the last session, with the third Test in Cape Town now set to decide the contest.

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Rain had removed the opening session of the fifth day, reducing South Africa's opportunity to finish the job. Australia also had substantial resistance from Travis Head, who scored 121, and Scott Boland, whose 40 occupied 166 deliveries. Their efforts kept the tourists in contention for a draw, but Australia were eventually dismissed for 295 as the light deteriorated late in the day.

Kagiso Rabada returned figures of 4-77 in Australia's second innings, while Wiaan Mulder took 3-64. Mulder's contribution included the dismissals of Head, Boland and visiting captain Pat Cummins, removing three of the batters standing between South Africa and victory. BBC Sport reported that his accuracy and movement off the surface were important in breaking the tourists' resistance.

Marco Jansen claimed the final wicket to complete the result. He had already taken 5-33 on the fourth day, helping establish South Africa's advantage after Australia managed only 99 in their first innings. Although the visitors improved markedly in their second attempt, their combined totals still left them 31 runs short of forcing South Africa to bat again.

The winning position had been built on a recovery with the bat. South Africa were 40-4 and later 110-6 in their first innings before Temba Bavuma's 179 helped them reach 425-9 declared. Jansen contributed 85, giving him a significant role with both bat and ball. Boland took 5-81 for Australia before going on to provide his lengthy final-day innings.

The result reverses the direction of a series that began with South Africa suffering a heavy defeat in Durban. Instead of Australia securing the contest in Gqeberha, the teams will head to Cape Town level. The third Test is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, with South Africa's recovery from their first-innings difficulties having kept the series alive.