Australia gains 100-run lead as South Africa lose top four wickets on Day 3
Australia posted 429 in its second innings, establishing a 100-run advantage over South Africa, which lost four wickets before stumps on the third day of the Cape Town Test.
Australia recovered from an early decision to bowl first and built a solid second-innings total of 429, giving it a 100-run lead over South Africa at the close of day three in Cape Town. The visitors entered the day at 330/4, a run ahead of the hosts' first-innings score, and added 81 runs before the lunch break.
Josh Inglis, who had reached his second Test century, was dismissed by Simon Harmer, while Alex Carey fell in the following over to the same bowler. Mitchell Starc and Aiden Markham took early wickets, and South Africa were reduced to 40 runs with four wickets down at stumps.
South Africa's innings saw wickets fall to both pace and spin, including dismissals by Nathan Lyon, Wiaan Mulder and Marco Jansen. The hosts managed a partnership between Temba Bavuma and Matthew Breetzke that lasted more than 100 deliveries, but Bavuma was bowled in the penultimate over of the day.
The result leaves Australia in a commanding position ahead of the final day, while South Africa will need to rebuild their batting line-up to stay in contention for the series.