Temba Bavuma Hits His 1st Century Test Against Australia, Achieves Feat During SA vs AUS Match
The century marked Bavuma’s fourth Test hundred since taking over the national captaincy, drawing him level with former South African greats Alan Melville, Dudley Nourse, and Herbie Taylor on four Test centuries as skipper.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma struck a resolute maiden Test century against Australia on Day 3 of SA vs AUS 2nd Test 2026 at St George’s Park. Arriving at the crease with his side in disarray at 12 for 2, Bavuma anchored a dramatic lower-order counter-attack to carry South Africa past 250, completing his fifth career Test hundred and his first against the touring Australians. Mitchell Starc Completes 450 Test Wickets, Becomes 10th Bowler to Achieve Feat.
Temba Bavuma Hits 5th Test Ton
A Captain's Counter-Attack Under Pressure
South Africa resumed Tuesday morning facing a steep deficit after Scott Boland and Mitchell Starc had reduced the home side to 97 for 5 on a rain-curtailed second day. The situation worsened early in the morning session when Starc had Wiaan Mulder caught behind, leaving South Africa wobbling at 110 for 6.
Bavuma, who remained unbeaten on 41 overnight, took complete ownership of the innings. He combined with all-rounder Marco Jansen to mount a record-breaking 106-run partnership for the seventh wicket—eclipsing a ground benchmark at St George’s Park that had stood since 1896. South Africa vs Australia Live Streaming Online and Free Telecast, 2nd Test 2026, Day 3.
Whilst Jansen took the aggressive route with an entertaining 85 off 100 balls, Bavuma showed immense technical discipline against Australia's high-calibre attack, leaving judiciously outside off stump and punishing loose deliveries off the back foot.
Milestone Reached in Grand Style
Bavuma reached his three-figure landmark during the post-lunch session, working Pat Cummins through the on-side to bring up his hundred off 227 deliveries. The century marked Bavuma’s fourth Test hundred since taking over the national captaincy, drawing him level with former South African greats Alan Melville, Dudley Nourse, and Herbie Taylor on four Test centuries as skipper. Gqeberha Weather Live: Get Rain Chance Updates for South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test 2026.
The milestone held added significance following South Africa’s heavy 214-run defeat in the series opener in Durban, where Bavuma fell cheaply in both innings. His resilient knock in Gqeberha single-handedly shifted the momentum of the second Test, frustrating Australian captain Pat Cummins and his frontline pacers.
Significance in the Series
With Australia leading the three-match series 1–0, Bavuma’s innings provides South Africa with the platform required to challenge for victory and level the contest. His ability to absorb pressure at home reinforces his pedigree as one of Test cricket’s most gritty middle-order leaders.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 20, 2026 05:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).