South Africa seal series with 176-run win over Australia

South Africa defeated Australia by 176 runs in the third and final Test at Newlands in Cape Town on Saturday (October 31), clinching the three-match series 2-1 and reclaiming the No. 1 position in the ICC Men's Test rankings.

Chasing a target of 288, Australia were bowled out for just 111 in their second innings, with off-spinner Simon Harmer producing a career-best performance of 6-16 to seal the victory.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada also played a key role, taking three wickets for 39 runs. He reached 350 Test wickets during the match, becoming the fastest bowler to achieve the milestone in terms of deliveries bowled.

South Africa had conceded a 100-run first-innings lead after being dismissed for 329 against Australia's 429. However, centuries from Wiaan Mulder (115) and Ryan Rickelton (101) helped the hosts recover with 387 in their second innings and set a challenging target.

Harmer was named Player of the Match after taking 10 wickets in the game, while Marco Jansen received the Player of the Series award for his contributions of 146 runs and 10 wickets.

The victory completed a remarkable turnaround for Temba Bavuma's side, who lost the opening Test by 214 runs before winning the next two matches to claim the series. South Africa also replaced Australia at the top of the Test rankings for the first time since January 2016.

-AH