Bavuma outlasts Cummins with century that may turn the series

October 21, 2026 — 4:00am

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Gqeberha: Not long after tea on day three at St George’s Park, the chant of “Oh Temba Bavuma” rang out to the tune of Seven Nation Army.

While the total crowd at the ground was puny, the chant was appropriate. The same tune had done the rounds when South Africa upset Australia to claim the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last year, and here it rang as loudly in the tourists’ tiring ears as the Gqeberha house band.

The White Stripes, of course, were famed for making a helluva racket for a duo. Bavuma is making a habit of having a massive impact for one so, well, short.

From 6-110 when Mitchell Starc claimed his 450th Test wicket in the first hour of play, South Africa’s captain Bavuma had stopped Australia in their pace-bowling tracks with a masterful innings that has ensured the series will still be alive when the teams travel to Cape Town for the finale.

With significant help from the freewheeling Marco Jansen and the more sedate Simon Harmer, Bavuma turned this into quite the sobering day for Pat Cummins’ team, who were rendered short of ideas even when reinforced by Josh Hazlewood after his bout of stomach trouble.

After Bavuma had the luxury of declaring at 9-425, Australia lost Nic........

© Brisbane Times