Bavuma's batting masterclass takes control from Australia

South Africa in strong position in second Test against Australia

By LineZotpaper

Published20 October 2026

Read Time2 min

An ABC News analysis reports that Temba Bavuma scored 179 to put South Africa in a strong position against Australia in the second Test at Gqeberha. The scores suggest South Africa posted strong totals in recent encounters with Australia, including 9/425 declared in the most recent listed match on October 20, with Australia at 1/3 in reply.

ABC News' Russell Jackson reports that South Africa's Temba Bavuma scored 179 from 334 deliveries, his highest Test score, in an innings that stretched across three days amid rain and delays.

The scorelines relating to South Africa versus Australia show the following results:

September 23: South Africa 8/297, Australia 230
September 26: South Africa 9/365, Australia 333
September 29: South Africa 4/145, Australia 9/322
October 13: South Africa 284 & 206, Australia 390 & 6/314 declared
October 20: South Africa 9/425 declared, Australia 1/3 (live)
October 27: South Africa versus Australia (upcoming)

The October 20 score shows South Africa amassing 425 runs for the loss of nine wickets before declaring, which would be consistent with a strong batting display. Bavuma shared partnerships of 132 with Marco Jansen and 183 with Simon Harmer, according to the ABC report.

Jansen scored 85 and Harmer made 82, while Australia's Scott Boland took 5/81 from 29 overs. Kagiso Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson before stumps.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The scorecards confirm South Africa's competitive form against Australia in the ongoing Test series, with strong first-innings totals in recent matches.
The article's headline suggests Temba Bavuma played a standout innings, but no details are provided to confirm or contextualise this.
Readers following the series will need to look elsewhere for actual match reporting.

Background

Cricket scoreboards are published routinely on news sites, but the absence of any narrative in this article is unusual. It may indicate a technical publishing error where the headline was prepared but the body was not filled in, or the article was automatically populated with fixture data rather than a reporter's copy.

Key Perspectives

Cricket fans: The scorecards show interesting results but offer no analysis of key performances, turning points, or player contributions. Editors: The discrepancy between the headline and body suggests a production issue that may need correction. Data-driven readers: The scores themselves provide raw data that can be interpreted, but without a report they lack context.

What to Watch

Whether ABC News updates the article with full match coverage.
The upcoming October 27 Test between South Africa and Australia for a direct comparison of team form.
Any subsequent reporting that names Bavuma as the architect of a recent innings.

Sources

Bavuma's batting masterclass takes control from Australia · Just In

Checked

11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedBavuma’s batting masterclass takes control from Australia.Just In: “Bavuma's batting masterclass takes control from Australia.”
SupportedSouth Africa are in a strong position in the second Test against Australia.Just In: “it means that a game in which Australia fancied skittling the Proteas on a green pitch is very unlikely to be won by the tourists”
SupportedBavuma scored 179 in the second Test at Gqeberha.Just In: “On day three of the second Test at Gqeberha, Bavuma played an innings”
SupportedThe ABC News analysis is by Russell Jackson.Just In: “Cricket Score Centre analysis Temba Bavuma's batting masterclass steals Australia's control of its fate in Gqeberha Test R By Russell Jackson”
SupportedSouth Africa’s October 20 score was 9/425 declared, with Australia at 1/3 in reply.Just In: “Tue, 20 Oct, 12:00 am, Live score, SAF 9/425d, AUS 1/3 Live”
SupportedBavuma scored 179 from 334 deliveries, his highest Test score.Just In: “Bavuma finished it with a stunning set of numbers next to his name: 179 runs from 334 deliveries”
SupportedBavuma’s innings stretched across three days because of rain and delays.Just In: “Due to the rain and delays of the opening stages of this game, Bavuma's epic stretched across three days”
SupportedBavuma shared a 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen, who scored 85.Just In: “There was a thrilling stand of 132 from 186 with Marco Jansen, whose 85 came at almost a run a ball”
SupportedBavuma shared a 183-run partnership with Simon Harmer, who scored 82.Just In: “Bavuma's union with Harmer, the spinner whose surprising selection reprieve suddenly seemed completely sensible as he hammered his way through a sparkling knock of 82 from 157 deliveries. Their partnership of 183”
SupportedScott Boland took 5/81 from 29 overs.Just In: “Boland was clearly the pick with 5-81 from 29 overs”
SupportedKagiso Rabada dismissed Nic Maddinson before stumps.Just In: “when South Africa's returning paceman Kagiso Rabada marauded his way through Nic Maddinson to leave Australia one wicket down at stumps.”

Correction

20 October 2026An earlier version of this story said the ABC source contained only score listings and no match report or individual performance details. It includes extensive analysis of Bavuma's 179, other players' performances and bowling figures. The subheadline also incorrectly described South Africa's position as ahead of the October Tests. The report concerns the second Test at Gqeberha.