Mitchell Starc produced a sensational bowling performance to help Australia fight back against South Africa on the opening day of the third and deciding Test at Newlands in Cape Town on October 27, 2026. Despite a dominant start from the hosts, Australia dismissed South Africa for 329 after the visitors recovered from a difficult opening session.
South Africa finished the day on 329 all out, with Marques Ackerman scoring 95, Aiden Markram making 78 and Marco Jansen contributing 52. Starc led Australia’s attack with six wickets for 72 runs, while Nathan Lyon claimed two wickets for 71.
Australia captain Pat Cummins surprised many by choosing to bowl first, but the decision initially appeared to backfire as South Africa’s opening pair dominated the morning session. Ackerman and Markram put together a commanding 158-run partnership, punishing Australia’s bowlers on a surface that offered little assistance with the new ball.
Ackerman was particularly aggressive, scoring 95 off 94 deliveries in an impressive performance on his way to a maiden Test century opportunity. Markram played a supporting role early on before accelerating, striking several boundaries to keep Australia under pressure. South Africa reached lunch in a commanding position after scoring 140 runs in 27 overs without losing a wicket.
However, the momentum shifted after the interval. Ackerman attempted to accelerate towards his century but was deceived by Lyon while charging down the pitch, with wicketkeeper Alex Carey completing the stumping. The opener’s dismissal for 95 ended a promising innings just five runs short of his maiden Test hundred.
Markram followed after scoring 78 when he miscued a pull shot against Josh Hazlewood, allowing Starc to take a low catch at long leg. South Africa’s collapse gathered pace as captain Temba Bavuma was bowled for a duck by Lyon, while Cooper Connolly claimed his maiden Test wicket by dismissing Matthew Breetzke for two.
South Africa lost five wickets for just 29 runs, undoing much of the excellent work done by their openers. David Bedingham briefly steadied the innings with a half-century, but Australia’s short-ball strategy after tea proved effective. Starc dismissed Bedingham and Wiaan Mulder in quick succession, leaving the hosts in serious trouble.
Bedingham scored a valuable 50 before top-edging a short delivery towards fine leg, where Hazlewood completed a juggling catch near the boundary. Mulder fell soon afterwards after gloving a delivery behind to Carey, further strengthening Australia’s position.
Jansen then counterattacked with a useful half-century, sharing a 95-run partnership with Ryan Rickelton to help South Africa recover. Jansen struck several powerful boundaries and reached consecutive Test fifties for the first time in his career after his impressive 85 in the previous Test at Gqeberha.
Rickelton also played a composed innings, but Australia found another breakthrough with the second new ball. Starc removed Rickelton and Jansen with superb full-length deliveries before dismissing Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada to complete his six-wicket haul and end South Africa’s innings.
Australia entered the match after a major setback, with Steven Smith ruled out due to a neck injury sustained during the second Test. Nathan Lyon, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green and Josh Inglis were recalled as the visitors made four changes to their lineup.
The opening day produced a dramatic contest, with South Africa dominating early before Australia’s bowlers turned the match around. Although the hosts reached 329, their failure to convert strong starts into centuries could prove costly in a series decider.
Australia will now look to make the most of their position when their batters take the field, while South Africa will hope their bowlers can strike early and prevent the visitors from building a substantial lead.
