Simon Harmer's career-best 6 for 16 at Newlands wrecked Australia and handed South Africa the series and the top spot in the Test rankings.
South Africa are back on top of the Test world. Simon Harmer produced a career-best 6 for 16 at Newlands on the final day, sweeping Australia aside to clinch the series and return the Proteas to No. 1 in the Test rankings.
The day began with everything in the balance. Australia needed 288 to win on a surface that had offered something to the bowlers but still rewarded batters who got in. What followed was a collapse. Kagiso Rabada struck early, Australia lost two wickets in the first over, and Harmer took over from there. Four wickets fell in the first hour and seven by lunch, and Australia were bowled out for just 111.
It was the second dreadful batting performance in a row for the tourists. They were dismissed for 99 in Gqeberha in a game that looked a comfortable draw, and this latest failure cost them the match, the series and their place at the top of the rankings.
The only real resistance came from the tail. Nathan Lyon finished unbeaten on 33 and top scored from No. 11 for the second time at this ground, after doing the same in the 47 all out collapse of 2011. He batted through the second session alongside captain Pat Cummins, who defended for almost 30 overs. Extras were the third-highest contributor with 16, which shows how little the rest of the order offered.
For South Africa, this is a statement win. Rabada's early blows set the tone, Harmer's spin finished the job, and the Proteas are back at the summit.
