South Africa vs Australia, third Test: Proteas win Newlands decider to take series and soar to top of Test rankings

South Africa thumped Australia by 176 runs at Newlands as the hosts' bowling attack produced fireworks to clinch a 2-1 victory in the three-match series between the countries and propel the Proteas to the top of the ICC Men's Test Team Rankings.

This wasn't a chase that drifted away; it was snatched from Australia early on. Kagiso Rabada ripped through it in the first over and spinner Simon Harmer took a career-best 6-16 to destroy any hopes of a comeback.

Set a target of 288 for victory, the tourists were bowled out for 111 as South Africa leapfrogged them to go top of the Test world rankings for the first time since January 2016.

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Matt Renshaw was caught by Ryan Rickelton down the leg side for a golden duck and Marnus Labuschagne was lbw for four. Travis Head followed for 14, caught by Marco Jansen at gully, as Rabada (3-39) took his 350th Test wicket.

That landmark made Rabada the quickest bowler to 350 Test wickets by balls bowled. He got there in 13,808 deliveries, ahead of compatriot Dale Steyn (14,719) and Pakistan's ‌Waqar Younis (14,905).

Australia's fourth wicket was a mess as Cameron Green called first-innings centurion Josh Inglis through for a quick single after pushing Harmer into the covers, but Inglis was left short and run out for four.

After that Harmer came into his own, exploiting the conditions expertly to also claim a first 10-wicket haul in Tests with figures of 10-120 across the match.

"The trend of this game was once you got yourself in there were runs to be had," Australia captain Pat Cummins said. "But within the first hour the game was away from us and we did not give ourselves a chance.

"We are a really good side but playing tough opponents away from home is always difficult. We came here thinking we were good enough to win but we ‌couldn't do it."

By this point, the second innings was in complete disarray for Australia after Harmer had Alex Carey caught at backward point with Marco Jansen taking another good catch.

Two balls later, Cooper Connolly was caught behind for a two-ball duck, leaving the visitors 42-6.

Harmer struck again before lunch, with Mitchell Starc – who faced 25 balls without opening his account – caught at short leg as the ball looped up off his pads.

Australia were 60-7 at lunch, with Green 25 not out.

Green was bowled by Harmer for 27 soon after the restart.

Cummins (11 from 90 balls) and innings top-scorer Nathan Lyon (33 not out) delayed the inevitable with a ninth-wicket stand that lasted 17.2 overs.

This time, Harmer went round the wicket, struck the Aussie skipper on the pad and three reds confirmed the lbw decision after a review – he went for 11 at 107-9 before Josh Hazlewood's wicket fell to wrap up the victory.

"It was just understanding what I needed to do, getting the ball in the right areas as often as I could, and playing with my pace and trajectories, the little nuances I have learnt along the way. It all worked out alright," Harmer said.

"Today was a lot of fun, fielders around the bat and trying to get the win. That is the stuff of dreams for a spinner."

South Africa had done the hard work on day four, when Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder made centuries in a 154-run sixth-wicket stand to turn a first-innings deficit of 100 into a target of 288.

Australia won the first Test in Durban by 214 runs, South Africa won in Gqeberha by an innings and 31 runs, and the hosts took the decider in Cape Town with an irrepressible attacking display to thwart the tourists.

The victory also keeps alive South Africa's hopes of defending their World Test Championship title next year having beaten Australia at Lord's ‌in the previous decider in 2025.