South Africa won the Newlands decider by 176 runs and took the Test series 2-1. Simon Harmer finished with ten wickets in the match as Australia were dismissed for 111 chasing 288. The series is complete.
Current position: 2 November 2026
The Proteas recovered from a 214-run defeat in Durban to win the next two Tests. An innings-and-31-run victory in Gqeberha levelled the series before the Newlands result settled it.
| Test | Venue | Winner | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Kingsmead, Durban | Australia | 214 runs |
| Second | St George's Park, Gqeberha | South Africa | Innings and 31 runs |
| Third | Newlands, Cape Town | South Africa | 176 runs |
The series win took South Africa back to the top of the Test rankings at its conclusion. The route there was less comfortable than the last two margins might suggest.
Completed event
| Test | Scheduled dates | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Durban | 9 to 13 October 2026 | Completed |
| Gqeberha | 18 to 22 October 2026 | Completed |
| Cape Town | 27 to 31 October 2026 | Completed |
There is no remaining match in this series. The next domestic T20 focus is SA20 2027, which starts on 17 January.
Harmer finishes the job at Newlands
Harmer took 6/16 in Australia's final innings and 10/120 in the match. Kagiso Rabada added 3/39, with Travis Head becoming his 350th Test wicket.
Australia's target was 288. They made 111, leaving South Africa with a 176-run win rather than the tight finish a first-innings deficit had threatened.
| Measure | Return |
|---|---|
| Australia's target | 288 |
| Australia's final innings | 111 |
| Harmer, final innings | 6/16 |
| Harmer, match | 10/120 |
| Rabada, final innings | 3/39 |
| South Africa's winning margin | 176 runs |
Rickelton and Mulder overturn the deficit
South Africa trailed by 100 after the first innings. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder then made centuries and shared a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership.
That stand gave the bowlers a target to defend. Harmer's final-day figures are the headline, but the match had first needed the batting recovery.
An innings defeat for Australia in Gqeberha and a 100-run first-innings lead at Newlands show why one Test was a poor template for the next. The completed series offers three very different match paths.
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Questions about Proteas v Australia: series result
Who won the 2026 South Africa v Australia Test series?
South Africa won the three-Test series 2-1.
What was the result of the Newlands decider?
South Africa won by 176 runs on 31 October 2026 after bowling Australia out for 111.
How many wickets did Simon Harmer take at Newlands?
Harmer took 10/120 in the match, including 6/16 in Australia's final innings.
Are there any Tests left in this series?
No. The third and final Test ended at Newlands on 31 October 2026.