Temba Bavuma's masterful 179 powers the Proteas to 425 for nine declared and leaves Australia reeling on 3 for 1 in Gqeberha.
Temba Bavuma led from the front in Gqeberha. His near-flawless 179 on day three of the second Test swung control of the contest firmly toward South Africa, and the Proteas skipper delivered exactly the kind of innings a captain is supposed to produce.
He got strong support down the order. Marco Jansen chipped in with a punchy 85 and Simon Harmer added a gritty 82, and together they pushed the hosts to 425 for nine before the declaration came. The lower-order runs mattered as much as the big hundred.
The innings also carried a sense of payback. In Durban, Australia's tail dug in alongside one established batter, first frustrating South Africa and then wearing them down. Bavuma played the Matthew Renshaw role this time, anchoring while the supporting cast hung around and made the visitors pay.
The moment also carries some history. Eight years ago, in the aftermath of sandpaper week, Bavuma had Australia on the ropes at Johannesburg in just his 29th Test, with questions swirling over a lone Test century. The last two wickets fell in two balls and left him stranded on 95 not out. This 179 felt like a proper answer to that heartbreak.
South Africa then struck quickly with the ball. Nic Maddison was dismissed for a duck before the close, leaving Australia on 3 for 1 and firmly on the back foot heading into day four.
