# Bavuma's 179 turns Test on its head

> South Africa's captain plays a masterclass innings to seize control from Australia in Gqeberha.
- Title: Bavuma's 179 turns Test on its head · Abc | Shortify
- Summary: South Africa's captain plays a masterclass innings to seize control from Australia in Gqeberha. Temba Bavuma scored 179 to lead South Africa's recovery from…
- Keywords: temba bavuma, south africa cricket, australia cricket, test cricket, gqeberha, second test, news, politics, Bavuma's, 179, turns, Test
- Source: Abc — https://abc.net.au/news/2026-10-21/temba-bavuma-batting-masterclass-takes-test-away-from-australia/107285960
- Published: 2026-10-20T20:03:42+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: temba bavuma, south africa cricket, australia cricket, test cricket, gqeberha, second test, news, politics
## Bavuma's stature in cricket
Temba Bavuma, five foot four, captained South Africa to victory in the two thousand twenty-five World Test Championship decider, joining elite skippers like Clive Lloyd and Virat Kohli.
## South Africa in trouble
On day three of the second Test at Gqeberha, South Africa began at five for ninety-seven, with Australia fancying a quick victory on a green pitch.
## Bavuma's masterclass
Bavuma scored one hundred seventy-nine from three hundred thirty-four deliveries across nearly ten hours, his highest career score and fourth century since becoming captain.
## Building momentum
Bavuma's first fifty took one hundred forty deliveries of watchful batting. His second, reaching his century, took eighty-six balls. His third came from just seventy-three balls.
## Partnership with Jansen
Bavuma shared a stand of one hundred thirty-two runs with Marco Jansen, whose eighty-five came at almost a run a ball, contrasting the captain's diminutive frame with Jansen's height.
## Record eighth-wicket stand
Bavuma's partnership with spinner Simon Harmer produced one hundred eighty-three runs across forty-six overs. Harmer scored eighty-two from one hundred fifty-seven deliveries.

> South Africa's highest eighth-wicket stand ever
## Collapse of Australian hopes
Three hundred fifteen runs came after South Africa's sixth wicket fell. The total reached nine for four hundred twenty-five declared, making an Australian victory very unlikely.
## Boland's effort
Scott Boland took five for eighty-one from twenty-nine overs, the pick of Australia's bowlers, but Josh Hazlewood missed day two through illness.
## Pitch turned docile
The green pitch that promised early carnage became docile and offered minimal lateral movement. Pat Cummins faced indefensibly defensive field placements during crucial phases.
## South Africa seizes control
Kagiso Rabada marauded through Nic Maddinson in the final moments, leaving Australia one wicket down at stumps. The momentum has shifted decisively to South Africa.
## Key takeaway

Temba Bavuma scored 179 to lead South Africa's recovery from five for ninety-seven, making an Australian victory unlikely and shifting momentum decisively.