Bavuma's career-best innings takes South Africa to 425, Australia under pressure

Host South Africa posted 425 in their first innings on Day 3 of the five-day Test against Australia at St George's Park, Gqeberha, and left Australia reeling at 3/1 after four overs, still trailing by 422 runs. Captain Temba Bavuma's career-best 179, along with Marco Jansen's 85 and spinner Simon Harmer's 82, lifted South Africa to this total. However, the innings began shakily; Bavuma came in at 12/2, and at one point the side was 110/6 as the top six failed against the new ball. The seventh-wicket stand of 132 and the eighth-wicket stand of 183 rescued the innings. Bavuma faced 334 balls and spent 552 minutes at the crease, a genuine Test innings. Scott Boland was the pick of the bowlers with 5 wickets. For Australia, Maddinson was dismissed for 0 by Rabada. Rain interrupted the match, reducing available time. South Africa declared at 425/9, seen as a time-saving move. A South Africa win is the most likely outcome, though rain keeps a draw possible.