What changed
South Africa turned a near-collapse into a 288-run target for Australia on the final day of the third Test at Newlands. Ryan Rickelton and Wiaan Mulder led the recovery with centuries and a 154-run sixth-wicket stand, lifting South Africa to 387 all out after starting the day at 140 for four.
The series is level at 1-1. Australia now needs 288 runs to win both the Test and the series.
Why it matters
South Africa made Australia work for every inch. Rickelton batted for five hours before being run out for 101, while Mulder stayed central to the rescue after the pair had blunted the new ball, absorbed the short-ball attack and forced Pat Cummins to use his part-time spinners.
The final day will test whether Australia can turn pressure into history. A successful chase would be the second-highest at Newlands, behind Australia’s pursuit of 331 in 2002.
The pitch remains good for batting, but bowlers’ footmarks have opened rough patches that could give the spinners more turn. If those areas become decisive, Australia’s chase may quickly feel less like a clean target and more like a narrowing path.
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