Proteas have slim lead over Aussies

South Africa secured a slim lead over Australia in the third and final Test match at Newlands, Cape Town, on day three. The Proteas managed to bowl the Australians out for 429 runs just after lunch, but lost crucial early wickets in their second innings. Stumps saw South Africa at 140 for four with a 40-run lead.

Australia resumed their first innings at 330 for four, with Josh Inglis scoring his second Test century. Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, and George Coetzee contributed significantly to South Africa's fightback, taking out Inglis, Alex Carey, Cummins, and Starc. However, Australia remained in charge at 411 for eight, leading by 82 runs at lunch.

South Africa's second innings started poorly, with Aiden Markram falling for a duck to Mitchell Starc and David Bedingham for 11. Captain Temba Bavuma and Marques Ackerman managed to build a 64-run third-wicket partnership, but Ackerman was dismissed shortly after scoring his half-century, becoming the second wicket of Starc. Bavuma then teamed up with Mathew Breetzke, adding 34 runs for the fourth wicket, but Nathan Lyon struck in the final overs, dismissing Bavuma for 35. This left South Africa on 140 for four, trailing by just 40 runs.