South Africa vs Australia AUS in SA, 3 Tests, 2026, Full Score Card

OUT! BOWLED! It's all over. Fittingly, it's Harmer who delivers the final blow, capping a sensational spell with a six-wicket haul in the innings and a remarkable ten-wicket haul across the match. He leaps into the air in delight as his teammates rush in with hugs and handshakes. South Africa win by 176 runs and win the series 2-1. A flighted off-break by Simon from around the stumps, full and landing on middle stump. It dips, grips, and spins away sharply. Hazlewood pushes forward to defend, but is beaten on the outside edge as he fails to cover the turn. The ball clips the off stump, and that's the full stop to a memorable Test series.

Ovepitched, outside off, Nathan carves it to the left of the silly point fielder, and Harmer dives to his left to make a fine stop.

On off and full, Lyon defends solidly.

Very full on middle, blocked back to the bowler.

FOUR! Pulled away! Dropped short by Aiden, around the leg stump. Lyon hangs back and pulls it firmly through backward square leg for a boundary.

The ball darts in a touch fuller, holding its line outside off. Lyon stays deep in his crease and pushes at it, but the ball whistles past the outside edge.

Full on the off stump. Lyon defends it off the front foot to the off side.

Too full, on off, Josh taps it to the silly point fielder with soft hands.

Attacks the stumps, full in length, defended off the front foot.

Pushed fuller on off, Josh defends with a straight bat.

Josh Hazlewood is the last man in. With Australia 9 wickets down, the session will be extended.

OUT! FIFER FOR HARMER! A very well-deserved one. The delivery is full and pitched in line, going away with the angle. Cummins pushes forward to defend but is beaten, with the ball crashing into his back thigh. A huge, confident shout for LBW by everyone around the bat, and the umpire raises his finger without hesitation. Cummins wastes no time in opting for a review. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows that the ball has pitched just in line, and it is umpire's call with the ball clipping the off stump. The on-field decision is upheld, leaving the Proteas just one wicket away from wrapping things up.

Beats the bat again! Fires it too full and outside off, Cummins is drawn forward and looks to push it straight but gets beaten by a whisker.

Sliding outside off on a length, Cummins lets it through.

5 minutes to go for the Tea break. If a wicket falls now, the session can be extended.

Beaten! Darts in a full ball that keeps drifting away. Lyon is sucked on the front foot as he tries to block but the ball goes with the arm and beats his outside edge.

Around the stump now. Full and drifting across, Lyon drives it off the front foot, placing it through cover for a couple of runs.

Full again, on off, Lyon pushes it back to Aiden.

Quicker at 93.7 kph, around off, Lyon stretches ahead and defends.

Stump-to-stump, full, blocked straight back at the bowler.

Pushed fuller on leg, Lyon clips it to the leg side.

Fires it in, shorter outside off, Cummins defends it off the inside half of the bat towards short leg.

Full and outside off, going with the arm, Cummins defends for the turn, but gets an outside edge. The ball rolls past the slip for a couple of runs.

Stays low and spins on leg, Cummins opens up the stance and defends it to the bowler's right.

Oh, nearly rolled back onto the stumps! A good-length ball pitching outside off and turning back in. Cummins stays on the back foot to defend, but the ball sneaks past the inside edge and thuds into his thigh pad. It rolls dangerously close to the off stump, but Cummins reacts quickly, using his right boot to sway it away.

Straight and flat, on off, Cummins blocks it with a straight bat.

Full on off, Pat leans to defend the turning ball and it grazes the inside edge, rolling to short leg.

Turns in from middle, Lyon lunges and flicks it to short mid-wicket.

On the stumps, full ball, Lyon gently pushes it back to Markram.

Pitched full and around off, Lyon blocks it to silly point.

Floated up nicely, full outside off, Lyon defends off the inside edge to short leg.

Quicker and fuller, Nathan clips it to short mid-wicket.

Length, outside off, Lyon rocks back and tucks it to short leg.

Pushed through, turns in from the footmarks. Cummins presses forward to defend, but gets a bit of inside edge onto the pad.

Slightly quicker now but a bit too short. Cummins defends it comfortably from the crease.

Turning back in, slower and shorter, on middle. Cummins presses back to tap it down the strip.

Hangs it up, on off. Cummins strides across to block.

Dropped short, on off. Lyon goes back in the crease and flicks it away through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Gets it away! 100 up for Australia. Fires in a full delivery outside off that turns in. Lyon stretches well across and drops to one knee, attempting the sweep, but gets it off the forearm. It loops up and goes over the keeper to his left for a boundary. Australia avoid being bowled out for under 100 in consecutive Tests.

A teaser! Not too full, not that short either, around the off stump with just a bit of turn. Pat Cummins hangs deep inside the crease to block but plays inside the line and the ball whistles past the outside edge. A ripper from Markram and a little nod from Cummins as well.

Looped up, full in length, Pat takes a big lunge forward to block but it gets squirted off the inside edge, rolling past forward short leg.

Low full toss on the stumps, punched back to the bowler.

Shortish delivery, turning in on off, Cummins taps it back to the bowler.

Gets it to turn into the batter, full in length, Cummins leans forward to defend, gets an inside edge and the ball rolls to the square leg region.

On a length, on the stumps, Cummins hangs back and dabs it to the left of silly point.

Fuller than a length, outside the off pole, Lyon shoulders arms.

Back of a length, on the fourth stump. Lyon opens the bat face and eases it to backward point.

Good-length delivery, around off, Lyon defends it on the up to mid off.

FOUR! Up and over the cordon! Hands on head for Bavuma. Extracts bounce by hammering it on a good length, outside off. Lyon rises up with the bounce and tries to fend it away but gets a fat outside edge and it flies just over the men at slip cordon for a boundary.

Length ball on top of off, Lyon rocks back and pats it back to the bowler.

Full and angled on the leg stump, Lyon drives it off the inner half of the bat through vacant mid on. Temba Bavuma sprints all the way from extra cover and chases it down before the ropes. Two runs taken.

Dropped short on middle, Cummins tucks it to the forward short leg fielder.

Clouds have rolled in but there is nothing to worry about.

Down the leg stump, on a length, Cummins leaves it alone.

Quicker and a bit full, on the pads, Cummins awkwardly fends it to the right of the backward short leg fielder.

Drags the length back and gets it to turn with bounce. Cummins rocks back and defends.

Spins in from off, full in length, Cummins leans forward and taps it to silly point.

FOUR! Pulled away firmly! Flatter through the air, on a length, on leg. Cummins hangs back in the crease, swivels and pulls it to deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Aiden Markram to roll his arm over now.

Length-delivery, outside off, Lyon punches it on the up towards deep backward point for two more. 8 runs off the over and Australia are 88/8.

Short again on the leg stump, Nathan lifts his front leg in the air to ride the bounce and rolls his wrists to control the pull shot along the ground. It rolls to deep backward square leg and is cut off by Coetzee to his left. Two runs taken.

FOUR! That's gloriously played! Length ball, outside off, Lyon covers the stumps, rocks back and punches it through the cover gap for a boundary.

Nagging length, rising at an awkward height, on off. Lyon rocks back and taps it to the off side. It goes a bit uppishly but to the right of the silly point fielder.

Swing and a miss! Short of a length, angling into the body with extra bounce. Lyon swivels to pull but gets beaten up. Rickelton collects it over his head.

Lands it hard on a length, outside off, Lyon safely dabs it to the off side.

From around the wicket, very full, on middle. Cummins gets his bat out in front to dig it out.

Flatter and shorter, on middle. Cummins goes deep in the crease to deal with it but wears it on the pad.

Shorter, slow turn off the deck, on off. Cummins taps it to the right of the bowler.

Flighted up, on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Ooohs and aahs around the bat. Turning back in, on a length, on off. Pat prods out in front but the ball lands on the rough to beat the inside edge. It pops up off the front pad and lands beyond the reach of the diving Marco Jansen at gully.

Spinning too much to go down leg, on a good length. Pat offers no shot.

Goes past the bat yet again, lovely stuff from Rabada. Zipping through with pace, on a back of a length. Lyon fishes at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

A trifecta of plays and misses! A wry smile on the face of Nathan Lyon. Rabada continues to be in that channel, on a good length. Lyon fiddles at the ball as it seams away to beat the bat.

Beaten again! On the fuller side, outside off. Lyon pushes away from his body. The ball keeps low and goes on the bounce to Ryan Rickelton.

Nearly another edge! In and around the off stump, on a short of a length. Lyon presses up on his toes and has a feel for the ball but is lucky not to nick it behind.

FOUR! Off the edge. Seam-up ball, on a nagging length, just outside the off stump. Lyon presents a straight bat to block it out. The ball straightens a touch to take the outside edge. Since it is played with soft hands, the outside edge goes down and past slip for a four.

Hurls it on a good length, on off. Lyon blocks it out from the crease.

Shouts of 'catch'! Spinning back in off a good length and it kicks up as well. Cummins is beaten on the inside edge on the block. The ball pops up off the flap of his front pad and drops behind square on the leg side.

Looped up, very full. Cummins prods forward to keep it out.

Shorter and on off. Cummins dabs it down past silly point.

Very full, outside off. Cummins guides it through point but does not take the single.

Drifting away, on a length, on off. Pat presses forward to defend.

Slower through the air, not all that short, on middle. Cummins plays it off the back foot and nurdles it between short leg and leg slip for a couple of runs. Marco Jansen gives chase and hauls it in.

Pushes the length up now, outside off. Lyon across and blocks it off the inner half.

Bashes the hard length, on off. Nathan gets his hands high and angles it to backward point.

Hurls it on a back of a length, on off. Lyon nudges it off the back foot to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Gets it away. Rabada sticks to the short ball, on off. With a man moved to silly point from short leg, Lyon goes for the pull this time and plays it wide of square leg. It was in the air for a brief moment, but it was away from the fielder there.

Gets it high with the short ball around the right shoulder. Nathan drops it in the vacant silly point region.

Lands it on a hard length, on off. Lyon gets up on his toes and fends it down beside the strip on the off side.

Begins on a back of a length, on off. Lyon rides the bounce and pats it down the strip. No Ball called as Rabada has overstepped.

Bavuma turns back to Kagiso Rabada. He replaces Gerald Coetzee. The crowd is right behind him as he steams in with a slip, leg slip and a gully in place.

A teaser for Corbin Bosch. Not sure if there was an inside edge. Attacking the front pad. Cummins leans forward to smother the spin but can't get to the pitch of the ball. It rips past the inside edge and pings the front pad before lobbing up and dropping away from the reach of Bosch at forward short leg.

Fuller now, on off. Cummins gets forward to smother the spin.

Spinning into the hips. Cummins presses back and after setting up to tickle it away, he withdraws his bat at the last moment.

Fractionally short, on middle, Pat has just blocked that from the crease.

More men around the bat. A backward short leg is in place now, along with forward short leg.

Was that a chance? Loopy ball, dropping on the batter, on off. Pat reaches out in front but it spins back to take the inside edge. It stays well out of the reach of Corbin Bosch at short leg to his right. The ball goes behind square leg for a couple of runs.

Flighted delivery, on a nagging length, on middle. Pat lunges for the block.

On a hard length, zipping through, down leg. Lyon thinks about glancing it away but is beaten for pace as the ball carries to Ryan Rickelton at head height.

Another low full toss, on middle and leg. Nathan pushes it to the right of the bowler.

From around the wicket, with the field set for the short ball. Coetzee comes up with the bluff as he attempts the yorker but it is well down leg. An easy leave for Lyon.

Around off, on a back of a length, Lyon hangs back to defend.

Hits the good length, on off. Lyon taps it down the strip.

FOUR BYES! That took off. 135.8 kph on the speed gun, but it looked a lot quicker than that. A bumper, angled in over middle. Lyon ducks under it. The ball keeps rising, and Ryan Rickelton can only get fingertips to it despite the leap.

Drinks Break! Australia are eight wickets down, staring at an embarrassing defeat. But to be honest, this has been a shocking batting display from the tourists today. Green dug in a trench along with Cummins, but ran out of patience against Harmer, giving an opening for the Proteas to barge through and get the job done. Cummins has done well in defending and prodding, but the question is, with just two wickets in hand, how long can they resist a boisterous South African bowling attack? Gerald Coetzee will bowl after the break.

Tossed up now, outside off, Cummins is drawn forward to stab it down wide of silly point.

Dragged back, on middle. Cummins uses the depth of the crease, gets on top of the bounce and nudges it down to short leg.

Low full toss, on off. Cummins tamely knocks it to mid off.

Pushed through, on a length, this does not turn, around off. Cummins defends it off the outer half of the blade as the ball goes past silly point.

Brings the line towards the off stump, a hint of turn. Cummins gets his bat out in front of the front pad to defend.

Flighted delivery, full and wide on off. Cummins reaches out to the pitch of the ball and eases it in the vacant cover region. No run taken.

Nice and full, attacking the front pad. Lyon plays around his front pad and flicks it a bit uppishly but in the gap between mid-wicket and mid on. It dribbles away but the batters do not run this time. Strange!

Very full, on off. Pat stays beside the line and stays rooted to the crease. He extends his hands as he pushes it through covers. A sarcastic cheer from the crowd as the batters cross over.

Short of a length, on top of off. Cummins stabs it down on the off side.

In the channel, on a good length. Cummins offers no shot.

Honing in on the off stump, on a good length. Cummins hangs back, covers the line and blocks it off.

Beaten! On a back of a length, outside off. Cummins fiddles away from his body and is beaten past the outside edge.

How's this for a stat? Mark Nicholas shares on air that Australia have not been bowled out for under 100 in consecutive Tests in 90 years. They were dismissed for 99 in the first innings in Gqeberha and are staring down the barrel once again here. It also tells you a lot about where their batting stands at the moment.

A good-length delivery, on off stump. It grips and turns back in. Lyon shifts across and plays it with soft hands towards the left of forward short leg.

Full and outside off stump, Lyon leans on and looks to defend it out but the ball catches the inside edge and rolls off the front pad towards silly point.

Good length, spinning back sharply, Lyon goes back to defend.

A good-length delivery, outside off, and it grips and rips back in sharply. Lyon stays on the back foot, attempting to work it across the line, but the turn beats the inside edge. The ball thuds into his front thigh pad before trickling past the stumps.

Pitched up and spinning down leg, Lyon gets on his knee to sweep but misses and it hits the front pad. Going down leg.

Nathan Lyon is in next.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Green loses his patience and pays the price. It's Harmer once again who makes the breakthrough, and there's no stopping him as he sprints away in celebration. Coming to the delivery, it's a flighted one, pitched on a good length, well outside off at 81.2 kph. Green advances down the track but ends up stranded, neither fully to the pitch of the ball nor back in his crease. Attempting to work it across the line, he is beaten all ends up by the turn, with the ball slipping through the narrow gap between bat and pad. It crashes into the off stump. An absolute beauty from Simon as he claims his fourth wicket, lifting his captain in celebration while the rest of the teammates rush in to join the joy. Australia are 62/8 and South Africa are just 2 wickets away from clinching the series.

Simon Harmer switches ends.

Fired in on a fuller length, at the legs, Cummins misses the flick and the ball hits his boot and rolls to the leg side.

Banged short on the leg stump, Cummins watchfully drops it down to the right of forward short leg.

Hits the deck hard, 143.5 kph, Cummins plays from the crease and tucks it to cover-point.

Short of a length, outside off, Cummins offers no shot.

Nagging length, on the leg stump, Cummins hops across and bunt it down the pitch.

Effort ball right away. Bends his back, digs it short and outside off, Cummins leans back to let it go through.

Gerald Coetzee is back, and he is welcomed with a roar from the crowd.

Pitches it up, full around off, Green is solid in defence.

Kicks up from the surface, on off, Green negotiates well against it by hopping and tapping it to the mid off region.

Slightly full on off, Green blocks it off the front foot.

Good areas by Jansen! Tests the batter with a sharp bouncer, on top of off, Green is taken aback by the lift as the ball arrives at chest height. He drops his wrists and sways away, taking his eyes off the ball.

Beaten! Landed around off and angled across the batter. Green tries to defend it straight but the ball nips away to beat the outside edge by a kitten-whisker.

Length ball, angling across, Green is happy to leave it alone. Seam movement seems to have dissipated now that the ball is fairly old.

Marco Jansen replaces Kagiso Rabada. Only 2 runs have been scored in the 10 overs we have had in this session so far.

Back to over the stumps. Pitched full on off, around the rough patch. Cummins lunges and blocks it to the off side.

Full, on fourth stump with a good slide, Cummins defends it out.

Comes from around the stumps and drifts it far outside off, Cummins sinks his back knee in the pitch and taps it through backward point. The first slip fielder chases it down. No run taken.

Straighter line, full on off, Cummins defends it to the men around the bat on the off side.

Similar line and length, Cummins caresses it between silly point and silly mid off.

Bowls it full around off, Cummins takes a huge stride in and eases it to silly mid off.

Another full ball, on the off stump, dug out to mid off by Green.

Straighter, fuller, 142.7 kph, Green defends it off the front foot to mid off.

Attacks the stumps with a very full delivery, Green thrusts the bat in front and knocks it to mid off.

Length, outside off, Green lets it go through.

Fuller ball, on off, Green pings it to mid off, playing with a really straight bat.

Length-delivery, outside off, Green taps it to covers off the back foot.

Full and outside off. Cummins gets on the front foot, opens the bat face and eases it through backward point. Still, no run taken.

Spins in from outside off, Cummins watchfully keeps it out.

Good length, spinning in very sharply, Cummins is pinned in the crease as he tries to defend. The ball beats the inside edge and strikes the front pad before lobbing to the off side. An appeal for LBW, but not given. Ball Tracking shows that the impact is outside off.

Length ball, outside off, Cummins strides out to defend, but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Pushed through, full and around off, Cummins leans across and pushes it to covers.

Temba Bavuma on the attack. Two men at silly point, two more at short leg, a slip and a leg slip.

Nicely tossed up, full on off, Cummins digs it out to the cover region but they don't run.

Another maiden! Fuller ball, on off, Green drives it crisply to mid off.

Another yorker, on off, Green carves it away to the mid off region. Bavuma makes a diving stop to his right, parrying the ball to Jansen at mid on.

Cannons in a toe-crusher, does Rabada. Green, though, is quick to jam the bat down and shovel it out to mid on.

Spears into the batter on a fuller length, Green strokes it to the right of mid on. The fielder there makes a good diving stop.

Outside off and full, let through by Green.

Short of a length, 144.7 kph, on top of off, Green hangs back and stabs it to mid on.

Fullish delivery, around off, Cummins defends it carefully off the front foot.

Lands it outside off and extracts a prodigious amount of turn with a bit of extra bounce. Cummins is drawn forward to block, but plays the wrong line as the ball hits his right bicep.

Nice and full, tossed out wide of off, Cummins leaves.

Around off and going on with the arm, Pat is squared up but manages to steer it wide of the first slip fielder.

Drags the length back, on off, Cummins hangs back and drops it down the pitch.

Full and spinning in, Cummins pushes it back to the bowler with a big lunge.

On a back of a length, outside off, Green rocks back and dabs it to the point region, but they do not run.

An absolute peach! Pitched fuller and in the channel, Green does not get to the pitch of the ball, prods half-forward and pokes at it. The ball nips and zips past the outside edge.

Banged into the surface, outside off, Green hangs back and fends it to the point region.

Short of a length, on top of middle and leg, Green stands tall and dabs it across to the leg side with soft hands.

Fuller than a length with the angle on the stumps, Green pushes forward and defends it with a straight bat.

At 144.2 kph, KG hammers it hard into the pitch, slightly outside off, Green offers no shot.

Pitched full and outside off, Cummins presses down and smothers the spin.

Gets a good drift away from the batter, full in length, Cummins leans to defend, but gets a thick outside edge and the ball rolls past gully, but they do not run.

From around the stumps. Throws in an arm ball far outside off. Cummins lets it through.

Full and outside off, Cummins strides forward and defends.

Prodigious turn into the batter, short in length. Cummins hangs back and taps it to the leg side with soft hands.

More company around the bat for Pat Cummins. Aiden Markram puts the helmet on and positions himself at a slightly deep short leg in line with the popping crease. There is already another fielder stationed to his left at forward short leg.

Outside off and full, Pat leans across before leaving.

Cutting back in from off, full in length, Green is solid in defence.

A full ball at 145.5 kph, angled into the stumps. Green gets onto the front foot and presents the full face of the bat, driving it straight back past the bowler, only for it to smash into the stumps at the bowling end.

Excellent work in the field! A full delivery angled into middle stump at 142.3 kph. Green lunges forward and drives it firmly to the left of mid on, but Coetzee, stationed there, dives across to cut off the runs. A brilliant piece of fielding from the quick.

Nagging length, jumping off the surface, Green rides the bounce and punches it to short cover.

A vociferous appeal for LBW, but not given. Height maybe the issue here and the Ball Tracking confirms that it is projected to miss the off pole and there's nothing on UltraEdge. A wobble-seam ball lands on a length, outside off, Green pushes forward, but the late movement beats the inside edge. The ball strikes his front pad and pops up gently towards slip, where Harmer flings himself to his left and catches the ball on the bounce.

A sharp bumper by Rabada, outside off, Green leans back, and drops his wrists to leave.

Turns in off the rough, full outside off, Pat draws the front foot forward to block but gets a bit of an inside edge on the front pad.

Short, around off, Pat rocks back and punches it into covers.

Almost a wicket! Pitched in thereabouts of the off stump, and it grips sharply off the surface. Cummins covers the stumps by hanging deep in the crease and completely misjudges the turn as the ball hits his pads. Big appeal for LBW, but not given. No shot offered by Cummins. But Bavuma consults with the keeper and his bowler before taking the review. But this looks a bit high in real time. Ball Tracking shows that it is going over the off stump. Not Out.

Pushes the length up, full on off, Cummins takes a giant stride out and pushes it straight.

Shortish delivery on the pads, Cummins opts to leave but the ball hits his thigh pad.

Sharp turn into the batter, on a length, Cummins gets a bit across and nudges it to the left of forward short leg.

It will be spin from the other end in the form of Simon Harmer.

Keeps honing in the channel with a full ball, Green stubbornly defends by prodding forward.

Fuller than a length, on off, Green presses forward and blocks it to mid off.

Attacks the stumps, full in length, Green pushes at it and gets it sliced off the outer half of the bat. The ball rolls wide of gully and they cross over for the second run.

Nipping in from the fourth stump, a touch full. Green jams the bat down by dragging it forward and stabs it to the cover region.

Back of a length, outside off, Green shoulders arms.

Steams in from over the stumps, bowls it full on off, Green defends it solidly off the front foot.

Welcome back. Newlands is bathed in sunshine as the two umpires and players make their way out to the middle. Cameron Green has been joined by Pat Cummins. Kagiso Rabada will get the session underway with the ball. Green to face. There are two slips and a gully. Here we go!

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

South Africa closing in - Cameron Green has been left fighting a lone battle with the tail, and it is not going to be easy with Simon Harmer bowling the way he is. The second session is expected to commence at 11.10 am GMT, and in all likelihood, will be the final session of the series. But this series has rarely gone to script, so who knows? Australia could yet dig in and take this Test into the final session.

Rabada and Harmer blow Australia away - As they say, big-match players step up on the biggest of stages, and this was one morning when the Proteas needed Kagiso Rabada to deliver. And deliver he did. After a quiet first innings, while also battling stomach cramps, Rabada jolted the Aussies away this morning, picking up three wickets in his five-over burst up front. Australia never really recovered from that shaky start, and it showed in their running between the wickets as well as their decision-making when it came to shot selection. Simon Harmer was always going to be a key weapon for the Proteas coming into today, and he did not disappoint, piling further misery on the tourists.

10.32 am GMT - LUNCH, DAY 5 - Who would have seen this coming? 7 wickets have fallen in just 26 overs, and Australia are staring down the barrel. South Africa are just 3 wickets away from clinching the series and climbing to the summit of the Test rankings.

OUT! AUSTRALIA ARE SEVEN DOWN! A full delivery fired around leg, Starc clears his front leg and looks to whip it across the line. It takes the inside edge, deflects onto his pads and lobs up behind short leg. Corbin Bosch, the substitute fielder, moves back and completes the catch. Harmer is convinced and immediately wheels away in celebration. But the umpires want to have another look, checking whether it was a bump ball, and send the decision upstairs. The replays confirm the inside edge, with the ball going straight onto the pads before popping up. It's Lunch on Day 5, with Australia in deeper trouble in this chase of 288.

Taken at short leg. South Africa are celebrating. The two umpires get together and have decided to send it upstairs to check for a bump ball. It has come clearly off the bat, onto the front pad, before lobbing up.

Fullish and on off, the batter has just watchfully blocked this out.

Flighted around off, with the ball turning back in. Green dances down the track but looks uncertain against the spin, hurriedly bringing bat and pad together in defense. It strikes the pads and rolls towards leg gully, allowing the batters to cross for a leg bye.

Fuller and on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

JUST WIDE! Harmer takes pace off, floating it up at 81 kph, full and outside off. Green lunges forward to defend, but the ball grips, bounces and takes the inside edge before ricocheting off his pads. It squirts agonizingly close to short leg, missing the fielder by inches. A big escape for Green!

Short and around off, this one grips and turns sharply back in. Green rocks onto the back foot and gets his bat down to keep it out on the off side. A substantial amount of turn on offer!

A touch short around off, the arm ball skids through towards the off stump. Starc goes back quickly and gets his bat down in time, keeping it out towards cover.

Short again and around off, Starc rocks back and cuts it firmly towards point, where the fielder gets across to stop the ball.

Slightly short and around off, Starc rocks back and punches it firmly towards cover, but Bavuma is alert and moves across to cut it off.

Quicker and fuller, around off, knocked down to mid on for a run.

Full and around off, Green gets forward and drives it crisply through the cover region. The sweeper-cover fielder mops up, but there is enough time for them to come back for two.

Tossed up around middle, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Aiden Markram comes on with just over 5 minutes to go before the break.

Loopy and full, drifting in around off. Starc brings his front foot forward, trusts the turn and opts to leave it alone. The ball spins past the off stump and carries through to the keeper.

Flatter and on off, the batter has just blocked that from the crease to covers.

BEATEN AGAIN! Harmer operates from wide of the crease and tosses it up full around off. The ball angles in before gripping and turning away. Starc plays for the original line, but the spin takes it past his outside edge once more.

BEATEN! A beautifully flighted delivery, full and around off. Starc stays rooted on the back foot, looking to play it late, but the ball grips and spins past his outside edge, missing the off stump by the narrowest of margins.

Loopy and full, on off, it's pushed defensively to covers.

Full and around off, defended to the off side.

FOUR BYES! Another one races away without the batter laying a bat on it! A short ball at 142.4 kph, sliding down the leg side. Green wisely leaves it alone, but the ball lands, kicks up a puff of dust and keeps curling away from the keeper. Ryan Rickelton dives full stretch to his left, but is nowhere near it. Four more byes!

Short in length again, but down the leg side, Green lets it be.

A sharp one at 146.7 kph, climbing from a shortish length around middle and leg. Green is cramped for room and gets into an awkward position, but somehow manages to fend it down safely, just wide of leg gully.

From over the wicket, a full delivery around off at 143.7 kph. Green leans into it and pushes it neatly through the gap at cover. There is room for a second, and they hustle back comfortably.

A surprise yorker at 142.5 kph, aimed at middle. Green is caught on the back foot but reacts quickly, bringing his bat down just in time to dig it out towards mid off.

Gerald Coetzee continues from around the wicket, with leg gully still in place. He bangs it in on a back-of-a-length around leg, and Green gets behind the line to keep it down safely.

Goes on the back foot to another short ball and cuts it to deep point. No run is taken.

Flatter and shorter, around off, punched to deep cover, no run taken.

FOUR BYES! That has beaten the lot! A vicious turner from the foothold, pitching full around off before biting away sharply. Starc gets forward to defend, but the ball spins past his outside edge, evades the keeper and races through the gap. Even the slip fielder has no chance. Australia bring up 50, but the damage is already severe at 50/6.

Again a shade quicker through the air, fuller and on middle, Starc is strong in his front-foot defense.

Quicker and full, around middle, defended to silly point.

Fighted and full, around off, Starc pushes it off the front foot, to the right of the cover fielder.

A sharp bouncer at 142.7 kph, directed around leg. Green quickly gets low and ducks underneath it.

Stays on the leg-stump line with a good-length delivery. Green gets his bat across and works it gently off his pads towards mid-wicket

With a leg gully in place, Gerald comes around the wicket and digs it in short, down the leg side. Green goes for the flick but fails to make contact.

Shortish again, drifting down the leg side. Green gets behind the line and nudges it towards deep fine leg, but chooses not to take the single once more.

A touch short and around off, Green rocks back and punches it towards cover. The fielder gets a hand to it but cannot keep it under control, and the ball trickles behind him. Mid off gives chase and the batters don't cross.

A sharp bouncer from Gerald, climbing around off. Green spots the danger early and sinks underneath it, letting the ball sail through.

Nearly number 7 for South Africa! Harmer offers flight and gets the ball to drop on the left-hander. Starc lunges across to block, but the ball drops and rips past the outside edge. It clips Ryan Rickelton's gloves and deflects towards Aiden Markram at slip. Markram does not have time to react, and it pings him on the chest before going away.

Fractionally short, on off. Starc pats it to cover.

Shorter and on off. Starc chops it down to point.

Speared in full, on middle. Starc defends with the bat close to the front pad.

Full and drifting in, on middle. Starc defends it out off the front foot.

Floated up, on off. Starc pushes it to cover.

On a back of a length, on off. Green stays back to defend.

FOUR! Off the edge. Cross-seam ball, on top of off, jagging back in with a bit of extra bounce. Green looks to keep it out but gets an outside edge. It goes down and past the diving gully fielder for a boundary.

A sharp bouncer, on middle. Green ducks.

Coetzee bashes the hard length, on off. Green stands tall on top of the bounce and cuts it late to deep backward point but does not take the single. Not sure how long Green can keep turning down the singles. He has to trust the bowlers as there is a lot of time left in the day.

Attacking the front pad with a length delivery. Green wrists it to mid-wicket.

On a hard length, angled in at the ribs. Green rises up on his toes and drops it down in front of short leg.

Gerald Coetzee comes into the attack.

Pushed through, fractionally short, on off. Starc punches it wide of point for a single.

Flighted up, on off. Starc lunges to smother the spin.

Down to the bowlers now. Mitchell Starc has walked in ahead of Pat Cummins.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Two wickets in the over and Simon Harmer is off on a celebratory run. Nicely tossed up by Harmer, full and inviting the drive. Connolly is lured into the drive and the ball drops on him before spinning away just a touch to graze the outside edge. Ryan Rickelton gets both his gloves around his left knee and holds onto the catch. After starting yesterday at effectively 40/4, South Africa have Australia in all sorts at 42/6, needing 4 more wickets to clinch the series.

Flatter and shorter, on middle. Connolly hangs back to defend.

Half the side back in the hut. Cooper Connolly walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Simon Harmer gets in on the act now. South Africa are all over Australia like a rash. This is speared in full, on middle. Carey gets low and pre-empts the reverse sweep but cannot roll his wrists over the ball and the bat face stays open. It takes the top edge and balloons to backward point, where Marco Jansen moves forward and dives, using his reach to good effect. The umpires are happy with what they have seen and feel no need to send it upstairs for a check.

Drifting in from around the wicket, on a length. Carey presses forward to smother the spin.

Fuller and on off. Carey pushes at the ball with hard hands. It squirts off the outer half to deep point for a run.

Dishes out a bumper, on off. Carey drops his wrists and crouches low to let it go through to the keeper.

Well outside off, Carey is not interested in playing at that.

Pushes the length up, on off. Alex dabs it down on the off side.

That is a snorter by Jansen. Dug in short, around the left shoulder. Carey hops and gets his hands high to fend it down but then withdraws his bat.

Outside off, on a length. Carey lets it through.

Full and a hint of turn, Green defends it off the inner half back to the bowler.

Flatter and on a good length. Green angles it to backward point.

Tossed up, on off. Carey lunges and drives it to long off for a single.

Alex Carey is in at number 6.

OUT! JOSH INGLIS IS RUN OUT! That is a disaster for Australia. South Africa's joy knows no bounds. Flighted up, on off. Green presses forward and gets on top of the bounce as he dabs it down past silly point. The ball does not go too far from Marques Ackerman at silly point, but the batters set off for a non-existent run. Marques turns around and gets to the ball quickly. He does well to release the throw on the turn. Ryan Rickelton gathers it at shoulder height to his left and whips the bails off in a flash, with Josh Inglis struggling to make his ground. The third umpire is called into action, and the replays confirm that Inglis is short of his ground. Australia are now 40/4, needing 248 more runs while South Africa need 6 more wickets.

Marques Ackerman comes in at silly point.

Very full, on off. Inglis works the reverse sweep behind square on the off side for a single.

That could have gone anywhere. On a length, around off. Inglis leans across for the reverse sweep but it spins back to catch the bottom edge and trickles beside the leg stump.

FOUR! Slanting in towards the off stump, on a good length. Green lunges and looks to defend with the bat close to the front pad. It brushes a bit of the front pad and clips the back thigh before going down and past the dive of Ryan Rickelton to his right. The UltraEdge comes up with a spike when the ball is next to the bat. The on-field decision is upheld. South Africa lose a review.

Review time. LBW appeal, given Not Out, but South Africa have taken the review.

A bit fuller now, on off. Green lunges and drives it to mid off.

Goes past the bat! Angled in before straightening, ever so slightly, off a good length. Green does well not to follow the ball and plays inside the line on the block.

Into the deck, on off and middle. Inglis swivels and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Across off, on a nagging length. Inglis covers the line and defends it from the crease.

Pushed across the right-hander, not all that short for the cut. Inglis flashes but the ball takes off to sail over the flailing blade.

Low full toss, on middle. Green drives it back to Simon.

Pushed through, on a good length. Green strides across to stab it down on the off side.

Drifting away, on a length, on off. Green pushes a bit away from his body. It goes off the outer half to the left of backward point for a couple of runs.

At the sticks, full in length. Green pushes it back to the bowler.

Shorter and around off, Green shuffles back and across for the block but gets hit on the pads.

DROPPED! A tough chance, though. Floated up, on off. Green shimmies down the track and takes the ball on the full. The ball dips on him and he ends up chipping it low to the left of Simon Harmer. Harmer gets low to his left and sticks out his left hand, but the ball hits him high on the palm and drops to the ground. Simon is disappointed with himself as he has set high standards for himself.

DRINKS BREAK! End of an entertaining first hour, one that belonged to South Africa. Kagiso Rabada's three strikes have set the tone nicely for the Proteas, who will look to keep chipping away through the day. With two right-handers at the crease, Simon Harmer will relish the prospect of bowling into the rough outside the off stump. It will be interesting to see how this pair finds a way to tackle him and not let him settle.

Going away with the angle, not all that short, Inglis punches it to cover.

Good running! A steep bumper, at the right shoulder. Green rises with the bounce and drops it beside the strip on the off side whilst taking the bottom hand off the bat handle. The batters sneak in a single as the cover fielder is caught on his heels.

Delivers it on a hard length, on off. Green stands tall and rides the bounce to tap it down the strip.

Dishes out the short ball and gets it high around the shoulder. Green rises with the bounce and fends it down beside the strip on the leg side.

On top of off, on a short of a length. Green pushes out in front to dab it down on the off side. It kicks up a bit and nips back to catch the shoulder of the blade and it dribbles down to short leg.

A man from the slip cordon comes in at short leg.

Going across the off stump, on a good length. Green leaves it all alone.

Offers flight, full and outside off. Josh reaches across and rolls his wrists over the ball on the reverse sweep but can't beat backward point.

Pushed through, flatter and at the sticks. Inglis goes back to a relatively full ball but manages to stab it down.

A bit fuller now, on off. Inglis lunges for the block but squirts it off the inner half to mid-wicket.

Oh, that is a risky option. On a good length, on off. Inglis reaches across and attempts the reverse but is beaten as the ball spins past him. Ryan Rickelton gets both gloves to his left and prevents the ball from going past him.

Bowls it full, on middle. Green knocks it to long on for a single.

Action straight away. Lands the first ball on the rough outside off, Green is drawn forward but is unable to smother the spin. It spins back in to rap him on the front pad outside the line of the off stump.

Simon Harmer has been introduced into the attack. He is starting with a slip and a short leg.

Banged in short from around the wicket, on middle. Josh ducks under it.

On the fuller side, on off. Green eases the drive to the right of mid off and hurries to the other end.

Slanting away from the off pole, at bail trimming height. Green stays back to defend.

A bit of yes and no! Jansen bashes the hard length, over middle. Green drops it in front of square leg and sets off for the run before being sent back by Inglis.

Fuller in length, on off. Green does not quite move his feet much and pushes out in front as he guides it to cover.

From around the wicket, into the deck, on middle. Inglis gets across the stumps and nudges it square on the leg side for a single.

Kagiso Rabada has been given a rest. Marco Jansen is back with a change of ends.

Fuller and curving away, outside off. An easy leave for Green.

A bit of a drag down, on off. Green reaches out to force it away but ends up chopping it down in front of cover.

Nice and full, jagging back a bit, on middle. Green brings his bat out in front and is solid in defense.

Pulls the length back, on middle and leg. Green nurdles it to mid-wicket.

Brings it back into the right-hander and makes him play. Keeping it around the off stump. Green drops the bat down on the ball and defends it right under his eyes.

Shaping away a bit, not close enough to make the batter play. Green lets it be.

Attacking the off stump, on a length. Inglis presents a straight bat to keep it out.

Into the surface, over middle. Green rides the bounce and drops it beside the strip on the leg side for one.

Yorker speared in at the toes. Inglis' head falls over to the off side but he manages to squeeze it out to the left of deep square leg for a single.

Pitched up, on off. Inglis gets a good stride in and angles it to point.

Oh! Rabada bashes the deck hard, on off. Inglis stands tall on his toes to defend but is rushed and the ball catches the inside edge onto the boot before dribbling away to slip cordon.

At 140.2 kph, full and on the off stump. Inglis turns it to mid-wicket.

On a length, around off, jagging back a bit, Green has just watchfully blocked this out.

Attacking the front pad with a good-length delivery. Green nudges it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Easily done. This sits up to be hit, around the waist, and Green gets the width to deal with. He stands tall on top of the bounce and punches it through covers for a boundary.

Fuller and outside off. Green shoulders arms.

Green lets the ball go outside off stump.

Nipping back a bit, on a good length, on off and middle. Green stabs it down the surface.

The new batter is Josh Inglis. A change in bowling as Wiaan Mulder comes on, with Ryan Rickelton up to the stumps.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! 350th Test wicket for Kagiso Rabada, and it is the big scalp of Travis Head. Rabada becomes only the fourth South African to reach this landmark, joining Makhaya Ntini, Shaun Pollock and Dale Steyn. KG drags the length back a bit and keeps it around the off pole. Head's feet go nowhere, and he goes searching for the ball. The ball straightens off the deck just enough to take the outside edge. It flies to Marco Jansen at gully, who is in really tight, but he is equal to the task and gobbles it up around his right shoulder. Rabada did not look like his usual self in the first innings due to stomach cramps and had just a solitary wicket to his name. But boy, has he stepped up on the final day of the series. Australia are now 3 down for 22 in a chase of 288. South Africa are 7 wickets away from a series win.

Yorker attempted, on off, bowled by goig wide on the crease. Head reaches out to go through the off side but the bat turns in his hands and he mishits it to mid on.

FOUR! Lovely stroke. Pushes the length up, does Rabada, around the off stump. Head just leans into the drive and punches it away well to the left of deep backward point as the ball races across the turf.

Nearly took the edge. Moving away off the seam, on a back of a length, on off. Head hops and fiddles at the ball. He is lucky not to nick it behind.

Digs it in on a hard length at 143.1 kph, over off. Head jumps back in the crease and taps it down to cover.

Rabada continues to be in and around the off stump, on a length. Green does well not to push at the ball with hard hands. Steers it with a slightly open bat face behind point for a single.

On the fuller side, on off. Head strides out and plays the drive on the up to cover.

This is short and a bit wide on off. Head shapes up for the cut but ends up chopping it down on the off side.

Outside off, on the shorter side. Head opens the face of the bat and guides it behind the wicket on the off side. The gully fielder dives to his left to make the stop.

Well bowled! A bumper by Jansen with an upright seam, on middle. Head hops to deal with it but the ball keeps climbing and gets big on him, hitting the bat right around the sticker.

Two leg byes! A little too straight, sliding onto the pads. Head tries to pick it up off the pads but fails to lay any bat on it. It clips the pads and goes behind. The deep fine leg fielder gets around to his left and tidies up as the batters pick up a couple.

Attacking the front pad. Head stays back but brings his bat out in front to work it to mid on.

A bit fuller, on middle and leg. Head hangs deep in the crease and nudges it wide of mid on before scampering through for a quick single.

On a short of a good length, left alone on length by Head as the ball sails over the off pole.

That is a beauty by Rabada. A lot tighter this time, just outside the off stump, on a back of a length. Head plays for the ball that angles back in and presents a straight bat. It holds its line and zips past the outside edge.

A swing and a miss! A hint of width and it is fractionally short. Head's eyes light up and he goes after the ball with no half-measures but can only connect with thin air. A couple of the South Africans seemed to have heard something but the replays confirm that there was daylight betwen the bat and the ball.

Speared in full at 143.8 kph at the off pole. Head does not move his feet much and stays leg side of the ball to stab it down.

Hits the top of off from around the wicket. Head dabs it down on the off side.

Bangs it in short at 139 kph, getting it high around the shoulder. Green is able to ride the bounce this time and fends it down from the crease.

Delivers it on a good length, outside off. Green hangs back and has a slight fiddle with the ball, dabbing it down towards the slip cordon.

Green lets the ball go outside off stump.

From around the wicket, hurls it on a length, on off. Green knocks it to mid off.

Pushes the length up and this is slanting away from the off stump. Green offers no shot.

Nearly trickled back onto the sticks. Cameron Green had his heart in his mouth for a moment there. Steep bounce for Jansen, around the right shoulder. Green hops and gets his hands high to fend it down. He takes the bottom hand off the bat handle as the ball drops off his gloves at his feet. It drops on the turf and just about spins past the off stump.

From around the wicket, on a hard length, over off. Head hops to get on top of the bounce and drops it beside the strip on the off side.

Nibbling away slightly, on a length, around off. Green plays it right under his eyes as he angles it wide of point for a single.

At 145.6 kph, in line with the off stump, on a length. Green shuffles a bit towards the off side and defends it out.

A bit wider and on a good length, Green leaves it all alone.

In the channel and the length stays full. Green covers the off stump and makes a watchful leave.

Full and targeting the off pole. Green gets a good stride in and blocks it off.

FOUR! Edged away. In the channel, on a hard length. Head pushes at the ball with hard hands. The outside edge flies behind and to the right of the gully fielder for a four.

FOUR! No need to run for that. Tighter line, bowled on a back of a length. Head stays beside the line and lets the ball come on before punching it through point. The fielder in the deep is behind square and he stands no chance.

A flash and a miss! Short and wide on off, Head throws his hands at the ball but it sails over his blade.

Into the deck, on off. Head stabs it down on the off side.

Angled in on a back of a length, on middle, that is flicked away but straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

On a back of a length, on off. Head has just blocked that from the crease.

South Africa could not have asked for a better start. Cameron Green walks out to bat. Marco Jansen will operate from the other end.

OUT! LBW! There are two kinds of leaves, and Marnus Labuschagne has produced one that has led to his downfall. Nip-backer by Rabada, honing in on the off stump, on the fuller side. Labuschagne shoulders arms but the ball jags back in and keeps a bit low as well to hit Marnus on the flap of the back pad. A prolonged appeal by the Proteas and the finger is raised. Labuschagne decides to take the review. Since no shot was offered, the impact does not matter and the Ball Tracking has the ball clipping the off stump. It is the umpire's call, so the on-field decision will stand. Graeme Smith wonders if this is the last time we have seen Marnus Labuschagne in whites for Australia

Good-length delivery, not close enough to make the batter play. Left alone by Marnus.

FOUR! Edgy, but that takes Marnus Labuschagne off the pair. Rabada goes searching for the magic ball but ends up serving a low full toss, on off and middle. Labuschagne tries to clip it away but the ball moves away late in the air to take a leading edge and it races behind point for a four.

Marnus Labuschagne is in at number 3.

OUT! STRANGED DOWN LEG! What a start for South Africa. Matt Renshaw cannot believe his luck. Not a wicket-taking delivery by any means, sprayed down leg, on a nagging length. Renshaw leans inside the line as he looks to use the pace and the angle of the ball and help it away. Gets a tickle on it and Ryan Rickelton moves to his right with the angle of the ball before putting in a dive to snaffle it. South Africa go up in unison, and the finger is raised. A golden duck for Renshaw. Australia are 1/1, chasing 288.

A little too straight, rising up a bit at the hips, on the shorter side. Head presses up on his toes and helps it down to deep fine leg for a single. Australia and Head are underway.

This is interesting.

Steams in from around the wicket and hits the back of a length, on middle. Head hops and gets behind the line to tap it down the strip.

OUT! CAUGHT! A wonderful innings from Wiaan Mulder comes to an end, and that's that for the day. Newlands rises as one to applaud a magnificent knock from Mulder. South Africa have been bowled out for 387, setting Australia 288 to chase on the final day. Coming to the action, Cummins goes into the wicket and does not offer much pace, on off. Mulder stands tall and tries to drag the pull in front of square on the leg side. Ends up hitting a lot straighter and slices it down the throat of long on, where Mitchell Starc makes no mistake, taking the catch well in off the ropes.

A flash and a miss! Bowled on a back of a length, outside off. The width is there for Mulder to cash in but he can only connect with thin air.

Off-cutter by Cummims, bowled into the deck, on off. Mulder waits on it before dragging the pull between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. With no possibility of a second there, the batters do not run.

Absolutely smoked but straight to the fielder. Cummins slips in a full ball with a bit of a tail back into the right-hander. Mulder hangs deep in the crease, clears the front leg and mows it straight to Nathan Lyon at deep mid-wicket.

Final over of the day coming up. South Africa lead by 287 runs, and it will be Pat Cummins to try and pick up that final wicket before Day 4 ends.

Tossed up, fuller and turning away, not close enough to make the batter play. KG shoulders arms.

Sliding on with the arm, on a nagging length, around the off stump. Rabada chops it down towards the man at a slightly square deep third and the batters stay put.

Flat and short, on off. Mulder stays beside the line and cuts it late. It goes down to deep backward point as Wiaan once again takes the single on the 4th ball of the over.

Pushed through, shorter and on middle. Mulder whips it off the back foot towards wide long on but does not take the single.

Wider on off, not all that short, spins back a bit. Mulder covers the off stump and tucks his bat close to his body to make the leave.

SIX! Parked onto the grass bank! Flighted delivery, Lyon misses the rough outside the off stump. Mulder takes a step across the stumps and sinks to a knee before clobbering it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Bashes the hard length, over middle. Rabada ducks out of the harm's way at the last moment.

Cummins tries to go full but ends up serving a low full toss, on middle. Mulder clips it through mid-wicket and takes a single, leaving Rabada one ball to face.

SIX! That sounded good, and it is long enough. Cross-seam ball, on a back of a length. This sits up to be hit around the thigh, and Mulder takes full toll. He takes on the fielder at deep square leg and clears him with ease. The lead is now 279.

Goes past the bat! Delivers it on a good length, holding its line, around off. Mulder has a fiddle at the ball and is beaten past the outside edge.

Wide! Off-cutter, bowled into the wicket, the tennis ball bounce takes it over the head of the batter. Mulder lets it go. Wide given for height.

Digs it in short, at the left shoulder. Mulder climbs into the pull. Hits it flat and on the bounce. Marnus Labuschagne is in the shade, and the ball comes at him from the sun. It skips across the turf but he does well to move to his left and make the stop.

At 135.4 kph, on a nagging length, on middle. Mulder hangs back, goes behind the line and defends it down on the leg side.

A good-looking shot for no run. Floated up wide of the off stump, Rabada leans across and smacks the drive past silly point to deep cover.

Had to hurry there, but Mulder makes it across. Good length on middle and leg, worked away off the back foot and to the left of backward square leg for a quick single.

Australia seem happy to take their time. If the last wicket falls after two minutes, they won't have to bat today, which is perhaps why the visitors aren't in any great hurry.

Flighted delivery, full and outside off, looking to land it on the rough. Mulder gets a big stride across and misses the flick, wearing it on the front pad.

Fractionally short and on off, turning back in. Mulder stays back and turns it to the leg side.

Flatter one around off, worked away off the back foot to mid-wicket.

He's only gone and done it! A fourth Test HUNDRED for Wiaan Mulder, and what a knock this could turn out to be come the end of this game. Lyon tosses this one up, wide of the off stump, Mulder leans across and powers the drive wide to the right of sweeper cover for a couple of runs. Mulder gets back for the second run and punches the air in delight and soaks in all the applause from his peers and the crowd.

Really well negotiated by Rabada. The slower bumper from Cummins, into the pitch and at the batter, at just 115.7 kph. Rabada ducks under it enough to let the dying ball pass over him.

Just short of a good length, slanting it in over off and middle. Kagiso Rabada gets behind the line of the ball and defends it back down the pitch.

Dug in well short and around off, Mulder reaches up for it, pulling it down to the right of the fielder at deepish mid-wicket and collects a single, moving on to 98.

For a second, it looked like the ball rocketed to the fence, but Mulder's actually hit it straight to the fielder. Pitched up wide of the off stump, Mulder laces the drive but finds Travis Head at extra cover.

No timing on that one. Banged in short over middle, Wiaan Mulder gets on top of the bounce and swats it down to Mitchell Starc at a deepish mid on.

Good-length delivery, a tad fuller and attacking off stump. Mulder covers the line well and blocks it off.

Good enough again from KG, and South Africa lead by 268 runs with one wicket in hand. Tossed up on off stump, not all that full. Rabada leans on and blocks it off the inside edge as the ball rolls behind short leg.

Lobbed up, full and drifted into the pads. Rabada takes the front leg out and blocks it on the full.

Mulder follows the same routine and exposes Rabada to the last two balls of the over. Dragged length around off, bites a bit in the pitch. Mulder hops back and across, whipping it through square leg for a single.

Good length on the pads, clipped away through mid-wicket, and again, Mulder isn't interested in taking the single.

Shorter, spinning it into middle and leg. Mulder rocks back and half-pulls it through square leg for another dot ball.

Flighted up around off, not all that full. Mulder lunges ahead and blocks it off with soft hands.

Pat keeps switching around and bowls a shortish ball from over the wicket, directing it at the hips. KG tucks it neatly to deep square leg but there will be no single again, much to the delight of the crowd.

Back to around the wicket for the left-hander, a short ball, attacking the batter's helmet. Rabada ducks under it well.

Cummins comes over the wicket and bowls it shorter at the stumps, near waist height. Mulder hangs back and pulls it behind square leg, picking up a single off the fourth ball of the over yet again.

Hard length on middle and leg, Mulder tucks it with soft hands to the leg side.

FOUR! This time, Mulder pierces the gap perfectly, and the crowd finds its voice again. Mulder is now on 95, just one hit away from a ton. Short ball around leg, Mulder gets on top of the bounce and crunches the pull between the fielders at deep square leg and deep backward square leg for four runs.

Banged in short from around the stumps, over leg stump. Mulder controls the pull down to deep backward square leg and doesn't take the single as expected.

The last half hour of play left on Day 4. South Africa have two wickets in hand, and lead by 262 runs. In comes Pat Cummins to replace Mitchell Starc in the attack.

Rabada has done his job. Pushed through, full and at the sticks. Rabada presents the full face of the bat and defends it out.

Attacking the front pad, on a length. Rabada brings his bat out in front to defend and that brings about a loud cheer from the Newlands crowd.

Flat and short, on middle. Mulder pushes it away off the back foot towards the vacant wide mid on region and settles for a single.

Shorter and on off. Mulder hops back and nurdles it behind square leg.

SIX! All the way. Lyon tosses it up, on a good length, on off. Mulder drops to a knee for the slog sweep. He is not entirely to the pitch of the ball but still manages to get it away. Hits it over the deep square leg fence for a maximum.

Floated up, outside off, on a good length. Mulder has a tentative prod at the ball and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Honing in on the off pole, on a length. Rabada stays rooted to the crease and extends his hands into the shot. Just chips it over cover and the batters manage to come back for the second before it is hauled in by the cover fielder. The lead goes up to 255.

Uh, oh! Mitchell Starc has gone down in his follow-through. Just goes to show how much effort he is putting in, and thankfully, he is back up to go again.

A good-length delivery, outside off. Rabada leaves it all alone. Starc falls over on his follow-through.

Excellent commitment from Josh Hazlewood! Starc digs it in short but fails to get it high enough this time, around leg. Mulder swivels and pulls it between deep fine leg and deep backward square leg. It races across the turf but Josh Hazlewood is quick to his left and dives to prevent the boundary. He parries it towards the converging Marnus Labuschagne, who tidies up. Just a single.

Into the surface, across off. Mulder backs away to open up the off side. He cuts it late but hits it straight to deep backward point and does not take the single.

A bumper, around the right shoulder. Mulder gets on top of the bounce and controls the pull down to deep backward square leg. The single is turned by Wiaan.

On a back of a length, on off. Mulder snatches at the pull and ends up mistiming it to mid-wicket.

Floated up, on off. Mulder reaches out in front and plays the hard sweep to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Kagiso Rabada is the last batter in for South Africa, but he'll be at the non-striker's end to begin with.

OUT! GERALD COETZEE IS RUN OUT! The Proteas are not helping themselves with their running between the wickets. First Ryan Rickelton and now Gerald Coetzee, with Wiaan Mulder being involved in both dismissals. Flatter and shorter, not all that wide for the cut. Mulder looks to force it through the off side but ends up chopping it down past the keeper and it trickles behind on the off side. Mulder has a look at his partner and, to be fair to Gerald, he does seem to set off for the run. Seeing that, Coetzee is already more than halfway down the pitch before being sent back. Marnus Labuschagne is quick to attack the ball from backward point and scores a direct hit at the bowling end. It is referred upstairs and Coetzee is found to be short despite the desperate dive. South Africa are now 351/9 with a lead of 251.

That looks out, and South Africa are shooting themselves in the foot with their running between the wickets. Replays quickly confirm that Gerald Coetzee is well short, and Marnus Labuschagne has conjured up another run-out with that superb direct hit.

Hangs it up there, full and on off. Wiaan leans across to smother the spin.

Shorter and on off. Mulder hangs back to defend.

FOUR! South Africa go past 350, and the lead is now 251. Lyon offers flight, a bit too full, around off. Mulder collapses his back knee and heaves it away on the leg side, hitting it right between deep backward square leg and deep mid-wicket. Keshav Maharaj had come out with a drink and possibly a message for Mulder between overs. Perhaps it was a nudge to get a move on, with South Africa possibly looking to have a crack at Australia towards the closing stages of the day.

Flighted delivery, outside off. Mulder pads it away.

Starc goes searching for the yorker but drifts it down leg. Coetzee can't help it away. Half a shout for caught behind but the noise seemed to be off the ball brushing the pad.

A teaser for Travis Head. Starc switches to around the wicket and bashes the hard length, angled in at the hips. Coetzee takes his eyes off the ball and looks to fend it down on the leg side, taking one hand off the bat handle. It pings him on the glove and balloons behind on the leg side out of the reach of Head at short leg.

Out comes the bumper, around the left shoulder. Coetzee crouches low to let the ball sail over him.

Starc nails the yorker and gets it to tail back in as well, on middle. Mulder hurriedly gets his bat down and digs it out to the right of mid off. He calls for two straight away, but Pat Cummins is quick to his right and slides to keep the batters down to a single, allowing Starc to have a crack at Coetzee. Starc fell over on his follow-through but he looks fine.

Banged in short, over the left shoulder. Mulder ducks under it.

Into the wicket, over middle and leg. Mulder swivels and pulls it down to deep backward square leg but does not take the single. 'It makes no sense', quips Graeme Smith on air.

Outside the off stump, on the fuller side. Coetzee attempts the reverse but gets it off the gloves and it dribbles wide of slip.

Lands it full, on off. Mulder brings out the reverse and plays it down to deep third for a single.

Keeps it full, on middle. Mulder clips it to mid-wicket.

It's all happening! Looped up, on off. Coetzee swings for the hills but does not quite get hold of it. Skies it well in front of Cooper Connolly at deep mid-wicket. Just a single.

A bit of air given, full and on off. Coetzee knocks it back to the bowler.

The game's turned 180 degrees in the last 10-15 minutes, and the Aussies can smell blood here. Gerald Coetzee walks out to bat at number 10, with about 55 minutes of play remaining on Day 4.

OUT! TIMBER! Well, well, well. Three wickets in quick succession for Australia. Flighted up, landing on the rough and spinning back in sharply towards the right-hander. Harmer makes the leave, thrusting his front pad forward. The ball turns back in to go past Harmer's leave, but it kicks up a bit to take a bit of the glove before dropping onto the ground and going on to hit the stumps. From 335/5, South Africa are now 344/8 with a lead of 244 runs.

Back of a length, angled across off. Harmer tentatively angles it away down to deep third and picks up a single.

A top delivery to get first up. Short-pitched delivery, in and around off and angling away a bit. Simon Harmer sways his head away from the line of the ball and just keeps the hands low enough not to glove it behind.

Simon Harmer makes his way out to bat. A short leg in place for the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another wicket falls to the short ball, and Marco Jansen will be highly disappointed with himself here and South Africa slip further to 343/7. Mitchell Starc bangs it in halfway down the track at nearly 134 kph, so it isn't blistering quick by any means. Jansen takes it on and pulls it off the higher part of the blade. The ball sails down to deep square leg, where Nathan Lyon is standing in the shade and reverse-cups it without a fuss. Jansen departs for a duck as Starc gets his third wicket of this innings.

Back of a length, around the hips, Jansen rocks back and nudges it down into the leg side.

What a stop! Back of a length, angled across off. Marco Jansen gets up on his toes and slams it down off the back foot to the right of cover. Pat Cummins just dives across and pouches it out of thin air on the half-volley, saving a certain boundary.

Mitchell Starc is clutching his left calf at the top of his mark. He will carry on for now.

Starc bowls it a bit more round-arm, hitting the deck hard and bowling it short over leg. Mulder swivels back and pulls it down through square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc has been brought back. The highest successful chase at Newlands in the 4th innings of a Test is 331, achieved by Australia in 2002.

Tossed up, wide of the off stump, Jansen lunges across and pads it. The ball lobs up and goes wide of the short leg fielder.

Bite and turn for Lyon! Flighted ball, on a length and on off, this one darts back in sharply and Jansen is also taken aback by the extra bounce, getting a blow on the thigh pad.

Nagging length, turning into middle. Jansen stays back and nudges it down with soft hands past short leg.

Bowled flatter and on off, Jansen blocks it off.

Nice and full, outside off. Mulder leans on and strokes it through covers for a single.

Sharp turn, and Marco Jansen does well to get well outside the line of off stump. On a good length, turning back in off a rough, from well outside off. Jansen is beaten on the inside edge and the ball lobs off the thigh pad and loops over the head of Marnus Labuschagne at first slip for a leg bye.

Pat Cummins turns to Nathan Lyon.

Just a hint of reverse this time. Full of a good length, on fourth stump, and angling back in. Mulder pushes at it and gets an inside edge in front of square leg.

Length ball around off, Mulder plays it with a high elbow and punches it down into the deck, back toward the bowler.

Pitched fuller now, slightly wide of the off stump, probably inviting a drive. Mulder strides across to block.

Good length, nips back in towards off and middle. Mulder watches it like a hawk and blocks it off.

Shorter in length again, angled into the body. Mulder misses the flick and gets hit around the ribs.

FOUR! Oh, that is so well controlled. Dug in short over middle, around shoulder height. Wiaan Mulder stands tall and gets on top of the bounce, rolling his hands nicely over the ball and nailing it down to deep square leg for a boundary.

Could have, and probably should have been two, but the first run was jogged, and Marco Jansen clearly shouts 'No' to avoid another mishap. Floated up on middle, Mulder leans on and strokes it into the open spaces at cover, and it is the bowler who chases it down.

With the fall of the wicket, it is time for a DRINKS BREAK! Australia badly needed that breakthrough, and a run-out looked to be the only way they were going to find one. They have had to toil hard today, with just two wickets to show for their efforts so far. South Africa still have batting to come in the form of Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer, and Australia will be well aware of what those two are capable of after their heroics in Gqeberha. However, this is not an easy surface to get in on, and Pat Cummins will be keen to make the most of the new batter's arrival and not allow another partnership to take shape. Marco Jansen is in at number 8.

OUT! RICKELTON IS RUN OUT! Uh, oh! Probably the worst way to get out, especially after notching up a fighting ton. The Aussies are delighted as Ryan Rickelton walks back disappointed, but he's got his side into a position of real promise. Coming to the action, Marnus Labuschagne bowls this one across the right-hander. Mulder rocks back and angles it down towards backward point. The batters look for the single, but then Mulder says no. However, Rickelton is already halfway down the pitch when Josh Inglis gets to the ball, and Rickelton can't turn back quickly enough. Inglis lobs the ball back to Marnus, who teases Rickelton a touch before dislodging the bails. South Africa are now 6 down, with a lead of 235.

Dragged well short over middle and leg, Mulder presses back and defends it down the track.

Flighted delivery around off, Mulder goes for the reverse sweep now but gets into a tangle and fails to get it away.

Tossed up, full and down the leg side. Wiaan Mulder plays the cheeky lap sweep again but it is cut off by the short fine leg fielder.

FOUR! A bit streaky now, but Mulder has earned a bit of luck. Lobbed up around leg stump, landing in the rough. Mulder lunges to flick but ends up getting an outside edge that rolls down to third man for a boundary. South Africa now lead by 235 runs.

Back of a length and around off, Rickelton hangs back and nudges it down square on the off side.

There it is, a moment to savour for Ryan Rickelton as he brings up his HUNDRED. What a knock under pressure this has been, and he gets a rousing applause from the crowd and his teammates, and boy, he has deserved every bit of it. A juicy half-volley on middle and leg, Rickelton clips it away through square leg and picks up a couple of runs. Rickelton then takes off his helmet and soaks in the applause. This also brings up the 150-run stand between these two.

Nicely nudged away for a single. Hard length, a bit wide of the off stump. Mulder stays back and opens the bat face late, dabbing the ball to the left of point for a run.

Slightly back of a length, in and around off stump. Mulder watchfully blocks it off.

Josh goes into the pitch, trying to force the ball back in from the fourth-stump line. Mulder stands tall and punches it sweetly to extra cover.

Rickelton moves to 99 now, and there's another cheer from the crowd. Back of a length and wide outside off, Rickelton hangs back, extends his arms and dabs it down to deep third for a single.

FOUR! A bit of risk involved in that shot but Mulder dealt with it nicely. The length is pulled back, the line stays around leg. Mulder goes for the hard sweep and takes the risk of going against the turn and the possibility of the ball behaving unpredictably off the rough. He rolls his wrists over the ball and hits it through backward square leg for another four. The lead goes up to 227 for South Africa.

FOUR! Lovely touch! Really full, at the toes, aiming for the rough but Marnus misses his mark. Mulder gets low and just plays the paddle fine of the man behind square leg for a boundary.

Looped up, very full, on middle. Mulder crouches and watchfully keeps it out.

Stays around the wicket but the length is a bit too short, allowing the batter to adjust. Wiaan nurdles it to backward square leg.

Oohs and aahs around the bat. Not all that short, landing on the rough and turning back in sharply. Rickelton goes on the back foot to help it away. Gets a bit of a tickle before the ball goes away off the thigh pad. A single is taken as the ball rolls behind square leg.

Spinning back in from around the wicket, on the shorter side, on middle. Rickelton nudges it to mid-wicket.

Marnus Labuschagne is back on to roll his arm over.

Bowled by going slightly wide on the crease, attacking the front pad, on a length. Mulder taps it down with a straight blade.

Delivers it on a length, in and around the off stump. It lands on the seam and cuts back in. Mulder covers the off stump to make the leave.

A hint of a reverse, full and targeting the off pole. Mulder presents a straight bat to defend.

Slightly short, on off. Rickelton steps across, gets on top of the bounce and punches it to deep point for a run to move to 97. Every run scored by Rickelton is being cheered now.

A bit fuller but not close enough to make the batter play. Rickelton lets it be.

In the channel, on a good length. Rickelton stays beside the line and dabs it to backward point.

Flatter on off, this is driven down to long off for a single.

Fullish length, pushed through flatter and outside off. Rickelton shoulders arms.

That's well fielded. Tossed up outside off Rickelton drives it away but the fielder at cover makes a sharp stop.

Pushed through flatter and on off, Mulder works it through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Tossed up, full and on off. Wiaan Mulder lunges ahead to defend.

Flighted up, wide of the off stump and turning in. Mulder looks to leave but the ball goes off the pads to first slip.

Very full, outside off. Rickelton lets it go.

Lands it full, on off. Rickelton lunges across and checks his drive to cover.

Slower bouncer, angled in on leg. Mulder pivots and pulls it behind square leg for one.

Cummins tries to go full but ends up dishing out a low full toss, on off. Rickelton punches it into the ground and the ball bounces over the ring of fielders in the cover region. They cross as the fielder in the deep tidies up.

Well wide on off and fuller too. An easy leave for Rickelton.

Bashes the deck hard, does Pat, on middle. Mulder gets his hands high over his head and gets on top of the bounce to help the pull behind square leg for a single.

Fractionally short, on middle. Mulder has a swing at it but mishits it off the inner half in front of square on the leg side for a single. The lead is now 112.

Bowled with a flatter trajectory, on a good length. Wiaan nudges it down off the back foot to short leg.

Tossed up, on off. Mulder leans on and clips it to mid-wicket.

Spinning back in, on a length, on middle. Wiaan defends by coming forward.

Shorter and on middle. Mulder goes deep in the crease and dabs it down in front of short leg.

FOUR! An authoritative shot, and that takes Wiaan Mulder to a well-deserved FIFTY. His first half-century since that epic 357 against Zimbabwe last year, and it couldn't have come at a better time for South Africa. Loopy ball by Head, searching for the rough outside the off stump. Mulder gets the width to deal with it, and he crunches the drive through covers for a boundary.

Pushes the length up and throws it wider on off, trying to eke out a drive. Rickelton resists and lets it go through to the keeper.

Constant change of angle from Cummins as he now comes from around the wicket. Takes pace off and this is on a back of a length, on off. Rickelton taps it down to cover.

Switches to over the wicket now, banged in short, over middle. Ryan crouches low to let it pass. Just 5 runs in the last 34 balls. Good build-up of pressure from Australia.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and digs it in short, on off. Rickelton sets up early for the pull but waits for the ball to arrive before tapping the ball on its head as he guides it to short leg.

At 137.1 kph, another bumper, angled in on middle. Rickelton ducks under it. This does not rise much and goes on the bouce to Alex Carey.

Cummins persists with the short ball, getting it high around the neck. Rickelton hops and is airborne as he fends it down safely to the right of short leg.

Flat and short, on middle. Mulder drops it down from the crease in front of short leg.

Shorter and spinning back in sharply. Mulder shapes up to force it away but is taken aback by the sharp turn as the ball spins down leg.

Pushed through, full and on middle. Mulder plays around his front pad as he tucks it down to short leg.

Flighted up, on off. Mulder lunges across to smother the spin.

Low full toss, on middle. Rickelton wrists it to the left of mid on and crosses over.

Dropped short, on middle. Mulder does not quite get hold of it and that probably saves him. Mistimes the pull to Cooper Connolly at deep square leg, who collects it on the bounce.

A bowling change from both ends, as Travis Head comes back in to replace Nathan Lyon.

Another flirt at the short ball by Rickelton and once again, he gets away with it. Cummins gets that tennis-ball bounce with the short ball, slanting into the left-hander. Ryan looks to take it on but misses. Not far away from taking a feather.

Pace off, going into the deck, around the left shoulder. Rickelton hops to fend it down but then bails out and withdraws his gloves.

Hands on head on Cummins. Switches to around the wicket and bowls the slower, short ball at the batter, rolling his fingers over the ball. Rickelton pivots for the pull but is early into the shot. He is lucky that the ball did not take the glove on it way to the keeper.

Bashes the hard length, but this is down leg. Rickelton gets inside the line of the ball and lets it go.

Gets more height on the short ball this time, around the right shoulder. Rickelton hops and fends it down safely wide of short leg.

Off-cutter, bowled into the deck, across off. Rickelton gets his hands high and dabs the pull down on the bounce to short leg.

A bit of extra bounce now, and Nathan Lyon bowls a quick maiden. Lobbed up, on a good length and outside off. Mulder is a bit tentative and tries to cut it off the back foot, but the ball turns in with some extra bounce and catches him on the gloves.

Similar line and length, a tad slower, and Wiaan Mulder gets nicely behind the line to make a block.

Lyon flattens it up, pushing it in from outside off. Mulder rocks back and defends it out.

Tossed up, fuller and outside off, Mulder drives it to the left of the bowler.

Bowled fuller now and at the stumps, Mulder wrists it to short leg, where the fielder pouches it sharply and tries to flick it back onto the stumps.

Floated up, on a length and around off, turning back in. Mulder has enough time to rock back and defends it down on the leg side.

Banged away, but there is a fielder in the deep. Short again, on leg, but this time Mulder picks the length early and gets into poistion, pulling it hard and down to deep square leg for a single.

Another quick bumper, really well-directed, landing it on leg stump. Wiaan Mulder squats under it and lets it pass.

Dug into the deck, around off, Rickelton gets on top of the bounce and dabs it down through the gully region for a single.

Another bumper, a bit too short and outside off. Rickelton ducks under it with ease.

Another ripper of a short ball from Starc. Short-pitched delivery on off, this one angles in at around neck height and then leaves the batter late. Rickelton is up on his toes and sways away from the line of the ball, just managing to avoid taking a blow to the neck.

Ouch! That must have hurt. Hammered into the deck, shorter and at the ribs. Rickelton looks to hop back and flick but ends up leaving it. The ball holds its line and thuds into the rib cage.

Ooh, another teaser from Lyon. Flighted ball, pushed wide of the off stump. Mulder getsa big stride across to leave it alone but the ball turns back in sharply and isn't too far away from the off stump either.

Good length on off, nudged away from deep in the crease to mid-wicket.

The batters run two byes, but the umpire signals dead ball as Mulder didn't attempt a shot. Lyon gives a bit more rip and lands it into the rough outside the off stump. Mulder rocks back and pulls out of the attempted flick and the ball sharply turns down leg, rolling down to fine leg.

Floated up on middle and leg, Ryan Rickelton makes a bit of room and drives it down to wide long off for a single.

Fuller now, on middle, Rickelton leans on and smothers it away to mid on.

Quicker through the air, sliding back in from around off. Rickelton tries to play it off the back foot but gets hurried and gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Short and outside off, angled away off the back foot and down to deep backward point for a single.

Oh, agonisingly close, and Rickelton would have had his heart in his mouth. Short again, on off, Rickelton hops back to defend, but this one doesn't rise much. Rickelton ends up toe-ending it back into the turf and panics a bit, trying to kick the ball away from the stumps. He doesn't manage to do so and falls over, but luckily for him, the ball doesn't roll back onto the stumps.

Dug in short again but this is darted down the leg side. Rickelton hops to the off side and lets it pass.

FOUR! Really well controlled to bring up the 300 for South Africa. Short and just outside off, Rickelton gets up on his toes and nudges it down nicely past the gully region for a boundary. Rickelton moves into the 90s, and the Proteas now lead by 201 runs.

Well negotiated in the end. Banged into the deck and aimed at the ribs. Rickelton moves inside the line and looks to tickle it away but ends up shouldering arms.

Full of a good length, in and around off, Rickelton blocks it to silly mid off.

Floated up wide of the off stump, Mulder gets a stride across and sets up for the drive, but gets deceived in flight. Mulder adjusts well to just block it off the inside edge.

Flatter one on off stump, worked away off the back foot to the left of short leg.

Lobbed up a bit wide of the off stump, turning it back in. Mulder goes back and across, covering the line well and nudges it down with soft hands to short leg.

Full, on off and middle, caressed down to long off for a single by Rickelton.

Similar line and length to the last ball, albeit a touch fuller and Rickelton manages to defend it off the back foot.

Beautifully bowled! Nagging length, drifted in from outside off and turning away sharply. Rickelton presses back and has a poke at it but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Close to the gloves again. A steep bouncer over leg stump, Mulder tries to take it on and has a swish at it, but the ball bounces over the gloves.

Ill-directed this time by Starc, as this attempted bumper is spilled down the leg side.

Starc keeps probing and nearly finds the gloves. Short ball on middle and leg, coming in at an awkward height. Mulder sways his head back and tries to keep the hands down to let it pass but the ball just passes over the gloves.

Good length on off, at 143.6 kph and naturally angling away. Wiaan Mulder leaves it alone.

A rib-tickler now from Starc. Rickelton hops a bit to the off side and tickles it down to fine leg for a single.

That's well played by Rickelton. A short-pitched delivery by Starc, angled right at the batter. Rickelton hops back and keeps it down on the deck.

It will be pace from the other end. Here's Mitchell Starc. No one at slip, but there is a man at a widish gully.

Tossed up, full and just outside off. Rickelton leans on and drives it away wide of sweeper cover for a single to end the over.

Flatter this time, sliding into the legs. Rickelton rocks back and nurdles it behind short leg.

Flighted ball, in and around off stump, Rickelton watchfully blocks it off.

A bit of turn, but that's well wide of the off stump. Lyon lobs it outside off, and finds the rough, getting the ball to turn away, and Rickelton is happy to leave it alone.

Pushed through at 95.4 kph, a tad fuller and on off. Rickelton gets nicely behind the line to make the block.

On a good length, bowled into the wicket and angled into the batter. Ryan Rickelton hops back and taps it down to short leg.

Welcome back. The over rate has been slightly better today, but we still have 34 overs left in the day. Pat Cummins and his men disperse from the huddle and take the field. Nathan Lyon will begin the proceedings. Ryan Rickelton is on strike. There is a slip and a short leg in place. Off we go...

... DAY 4, SESSION 3 ...

An uphill battle for Cummins and Co. - South Africa's lead now stands at 194, and with the way this pair is going, they look well on course to push it beyond 250. Australia will be desperate to make inroads as they return with fresh minds and new plans to break a partnership that has tested their patience. Back in a bit with the final session of the day, as play is expected to resume at 1.30 pm GMT. Join us then.

Better application and partnership building - Unlike the first innings where the Proteas just folded under pressure, this has been a far better batting display, especially in terms of forging partnerships, with, of course, the willingness to spend time at the crease. The common thread has been Rickelton in this match. He held the innings amid the collapse, and this time around too, he has notched up a fifty and is inching towards a deserved century, getting excellent support from Mulder at the other end. The Australian seamers haven't found much joy with the second new ball either, and have occasionally resorted to bowling short in search of a breakthrough. The spinners, though, have got a fair amount of turn and grip from the rough patches.

1.13 pm GMT - Tea on Day 4 - Another session that goes South Africa's way, with 92 runs added in the span of 28 overs, and more importantly, no wickets lost. With the Proteas gradually tightening their grip in this match, it's all hands on deck for Cummins, who has turned to eight different bowlers in search of a breakthrough, but the rewards have remained elusive.

Missed out! Loopy full toss, on off. Mulder makes a bit of room and cracks the drive but finds the fielder at cover. That will be Tea on Day 4 with South Africa leading by 194 runs.

Keeps it around the off stump. A slightly tentative prod by Mulder but he manages to stab it down.

Spinning away off a length, outside off. Wiaan leaves it all alone.

A lot better by Labuschagne. Getting the ball to drop on the batter, on a length, on off. Mulder is solid in defense.

Marnus looks to toss it up but ends up serving a low full toss, on off. Mulder drives it into the ground towards short cover. Matt Renshaw leaps and prevents the ball from going past him.

Serves it full in line with the off stump. Rickelton plays a wristy drive down to long on and gets to the other end.

Just a couple of minutes left in the session. So this should be the last over.

Drawing the batter onto the front foot, outside off. Mulder can't quite smother the turn and is beaten on the inside edge. Gets hit on the front pad well outside the line of the off stump.

A bit too full again, on off. Mulder stabs it down on the leg side.

Really full, on off. Mulder digs it out to wide mid off.

Shorter and quicker, on middle. Wiaan turns it to mid-wicket.

Spinning back in, fractionally short, on middle. Mulder uses the depth of the crease to deal with it.

Well, well. That could have got Wiaan Mulder into trouble. Flighted delivery, outside off, on a good length. Mulder shimmies down the track and has a swing at it. Ends up dragging it off the inner half over mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Hangs it up, outside off. Rickelton gets a big stride across the stumps for the block. The ball kicks up a bit to catch the glove but it does not pop up and drops to the ground.

Wowza! That turned a mile. Shorter side, spinning back in sharply, on middle. Rickelton is able to adjust and punch it away to the left of deep point for a couple of runs. The lead is now 191.

Marnus goes wide on the crease and gets the ball to land on the rough outside the off stump. Rickelton leans across to flick it away. Gets an inside edge onto the pads before the ball rolls away on the off side.

Loopy low full toss, on off. Wiaan drives it to long off and turns the strike over.

A hint of turn, keeping it full and at the sticks. Wiaan brings his bat out in front of the front pad to dead-bat it.

At 80.6 kph, floated up, on off. Mulder gets forward to smother the spin.

Cummins unleashing all his options now as 100 overs have been bowled. Marnus Labuschagne is introduced with a slip in place.

The length is pulled back, on off. Mulder rocks back and punches it down to long on for a run.

From around the wicket, very full, on middle. Rickelton digs it out past short leg and crosses over.

Around leg, on a length. Ryan pads it away.

Landing outside the leg stump before spinning towards middle. Rickelton shoulders arms and wears it on the body.

Loopy ball, wide on off. Mulder waits for the ball to drop before smacking it to deep cover for one.

Flighted up, on off. Rickelton gets forward and eases it to long off for a single.

Travis Head has been tossed the ball.

Fuller in length, jagging back from outside off, left alone by Wiaan.

FOUR! Top shot and that brings up the 100-run stand between Mulder and Rickelton. A boisterous Newlands crowd cheers for their dogged effort. A little fist-bump by the batters, and back to business as there's still a lot of work left to do. Short of a length by Hazlewood, on the bodyline. Wiaan Mulder swivels and pulls it through square leg for a boundary.

Nips in from a fuller length, Wiaan Mulder pushes at it, gets an inside edge with the ball rolling to square leg.

Good length, on leg stump, Wiaan defends it towards square leg.

Back of a length, shooting back off the surface. Wiaan is cut in half, getting completely cramped up for room. The ball beats his inside edge and deflects off the back thigh before carrying back to the keeper. Carey and Hazlewood appeal for caught behind, but not given.

Full on off, 132.6 kph. Wiaan Mulder responds with a solid, compact front-foot defence.

Outside off on a length, Ryan presses back and knocks it to short cover.

Landed short and outside off, Mulder rocks back and punches it to deep cover-point for a single. The lead is now 180 runs for the Proteas!

Slows it up from around the stumps, 85.2 kph, Wiaan leans on to defend the full ball.

Not all that short, outside the off stump, Ryan cuts it off the back foot to deep point for a single.

Quicker and fuller, outside off, Ryan again shuffles to the off side and shoulders arms.

Marnus Labuschagne comes in at slip.

Good start! Exclaims Carey from behind the stumps. Flat on a length, outside off, holding its line. Ryan covers the off stump before letting it through.

Cooper Connolly to roll his arm over.

A smidge fuller than a length, in the channel. Ryan Rickelton hangs back to punch it to the off side, but gets a thick inside edge and the ball rolls past the leg stump to deep fine leg for a single.

Short of a length, at the body. Ryan swivels and pulls it along the ground through square leg. Cooper Connolly once again dashes to his right to cut it off. Two more pinched by the batters.

Length outside off, Wiaan lets the ball arrive and guides it to the right of the gully fielder for a single. South Africa now lead by 175 runs.

On a back of a length, outside off, Wiaan Mulder hangs back and wonderfully punches it through cover, beating the fielder who dives to his left. Cooper Connolly sprints to his right from deep point to tidy it up. Two runs taken.

Short ball, nipping down the leg stump with a tennis-ball bounce. Wiaan gets inside the line and leaves.

Hammered on a length, on off, Wiaan watchfully blocks it down the pitch.

Josh Hazlewood is back for a burst.

Full and pitching fairly outside leg. Rickelton gets a good stride in and pads it away.

Full and on the stumps, drifting in, Mulder works it through mid on for a single.

Fuller and outside off at 88 kph, the ball rips back sharply from the rough. Mulder shuffles across to defend but is beaten on the inside edge, with the ball thudding into his pads and dropping to the right of forward short leg.

Good work by the captain! Renshaw overpitches one outside off, and Wiaan strides forward to drive it through cover. The ball loses pace in the outfield as Cummins gives chase from extra cover, sliding to flick it back into play just before crashing into the fence. Nathan Lyon, rushing in from deep point, gathers it and relays it to the keeper, with two runs completed.

Quicker at 90.5 kph, on a length, Wiaan Mulder blocks it back to Renshaw.

Slightly full and on off, spinning in. Wiaan hangs deep in the crease and defends it.

Sharp bouncer on the stumps, angling in. Rickelton ducks.

Two byes! Short from around-the-wicket angle, but way down leg. Rickelton lets it pass. Alex Carey once again dives to his right, but has to stretch his right hand out to grab it. Makes a half-stop, parrying the ball behind. Cameron Green from leg slip, sprints after it and throws it back to the keeper.

Nagging length, on off, Rickelton punches it to mid off.

Wayward down leg, on a length, Ryan lets it through. Carey dives to his right and snaps it.

Good-length delivery, outside off, Rickelton defends it off the back foot to cover.

Oh, this one springs off the surface from a good length, on leg. Ryan Rickelton hops on the toes to ride the bounce and fends it down the pitch.

Full around off. A gentle push back to the bowler.

The length is dragged back, outside off. Mulder moves across and tucks it in front of forward short leg.

A full ball outside off. Mulder plays with the spin to square leg.

Half an appeal for catch, but turned down. Nicely tossed up, full and turning sharply off the pitch. Wiaan Mulder leans forward to defend, but misses, and the ball lobs off the front pad towards forward short leg, where Head gobbles it up. Replay shows a clear gap between bat and ball.

Flatter and fuller, on off, Mulder defends under his eyes.

On a length, stays low and spins in, Mulder hangs back and blocks.

Nathan Lyon has been given a rest. Matt Renshaw replaces him.

Angled across the off stump, on a length. A comfortable leave for Rickelton.

Sprayed down leg, trying to eke out the glance from Rickelton with a leg slip in place. Ryan resists and lets it pass.

Back to the short stuff, aimed at the helmet of the batter. Rickelton crouches low and lets it go.

Leg slip comes in place. It's Cameron Green there, who moves from square leg.

A loose shot, but Rickelton gets away with it. Cummins switches to over the wicket and pushes it across the off stump, on a short of a length. Ryan goes fishing at the ball and is lucky not to nick it behind.

Bowled on a back of a length, on middle. Rickelton gets right behind the line to stab it down.

Banged in short, on middle and leg. Rickelton ducks under it.

Full and at the pads, that is flicked away through mid-wicket for a single. The partnership moves to 86, and the lead is now 167.

FOUR! Easily done. Too full by Lyon, drifting in on middle. Rickelton cashes in as he gets his hands through the line of the ball. Drives it all along the ground between the batter and the non-striker. The mid on fielder stands no chance.

Fuller and outside off. Wiaan drops it wide of cover and crosses over.

Outside off, on a nagging length. Mulder uses the depth of the crease for the flick but is beaten by the turn and wears it on the pads.

Spinning back in from off to middle. Mulder goes back in the crease and shuffles across to work it with the spin but Matt Renshaw gets in the way at short leg.

Flighted delivery, full and around off, slow turn off the deck. Mulder blocks it out with a straight bat.

Hits the top of off, does Cummins. Rickelton hangs back to defend.

At 139.5 kph, on a short of a good length, on middle and leg. Mulder crouches and presses back. He rolls his wrists over the ball to keep the pull down, playing it to deep fine leg for a single. A wry smile on the face of Cummins as he doesn't mind Mulder taking it on.

Out comes another short ball, aimed at the ribs with a short leg in place. Mulder thinks about fending at the ball but then bails out, holding his bat high and getting inside the line.

Digs it in short, over off. Mulder hops and gets his hands high to drop it down the pitch safely.

On the fuller side, no movement off the seam or through the air, outside off. Mulder does not move his feet much and angles the drive to the right of deep point for a brace. The lead goes up to 160.

Bashes the hard length, slanting in on middle. Rickelton hops and fends it down towards square leg for a single.

Great set, well done! says Marnus Labuschagne from behind the stumps. Flat and short, this keeps straight, outside off. Mulder knocks it back to the bowler from the crease.

On a nagging length, on off. Mulder presses back and nudges it on the bounce to short leg.

Flighted up, looking for the rough outside the off stump. There is a hint of turn as Mulder leans across and shoulders arms.

Flatter and fuller, outside off, this does not turn. Mulder gets onto the back foot to defend.

Slows it down, spinning back a bit, on off and middle. Wiaan rocks back to dab it down.

Fractionally short, on off. Mulder uses the depth of the crease to stab it down.

Drinks Break! The game is slowly but steadily drifting away from Australia. Rickelton has held the innings together nicely, ably assisted by Mulder, as their stand is now worth 76 and the lead is 157. The two batters have negotiated the new ball with care, quietly accumulating runs whenever the chance presents itself. The pacers, meanwhile, haven't found much swing to work with. But they will have to keep digging in on a pretty unresponsive surface to get the breakthroughs. The tourists will be desperate to remove Rickelton soon, or this could turn into a long, grinding day in the field for them. Nathan Lyon to continue after the break.

Pitched up, angled in on middle. Rickelton firms the drive back to Cummins.

Slightly fuller and brings the stumps into play. Rickelton pushes it back to the bowler with a straight bat.

In the channel again, on a back of a length. Ryan lets it go this time.

Good riposte by Cummins! Drags the length back and gets it to straighten off the deck, on off. Rickelton presents a straight bat for the block but is beaten past the outside edge.

FOUR! Gloriously driven. Cummins switches to around the wicket for the left-hander. Wobble seam ball, on a length. Rickelton springs onto the front foot and extends his hands into the stroke. Plays a punchy drive past cover, and it races away. A valiant chase by the sub fielder, Michael Neser, but it goes in vain.

Nearly trapped in front. Nip-backer by Cummins, on a good length, on middle. Mulder is caught in his crease but just about manages to squeeze out an inside edge. A single is taken as the ball goes down to deep fine leg.

Starc is rushing off the field, with Mark Nicholas suggesting he has gone off for some running repairs. Michael Neser comes in as his substitute. A change in bowling then. Pat Cummins comes back on and replaces Mitchell Starc.

Dropped short, on middle. Rickelton taps it down the strip.

Full and straight at the sticks with a silly point in place. Rickelton lunges to block it out.

Closer to the off stump and fuller too, on off. Rickleton covers the stumps to make the leave.

Missed out! A bit of a drag down by Lyon, on off. Rickelton thumps it off the back foot but he can't get it past Josh Inglis at cover.

Quicker at 89.7 kph in line with the off pole. Ryan pushes it back to the bowler.

Bowled by going wide on the crease, on a length, not much turn from the middle stump. Rickelton defends by keeping his bat close to the front pad.

Into the wicket, slanting away from the off stump. Mulder lets it go through to the keeper.

Angled in at the hips, Rickelton hangs back in the crease and flicks it away behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Lovely shot. After pushing the batter back with the short ball, Starc pushes the length up this time, on off. Rickelton leans into the stroke nicely and caresses it through covers for a boundary. The lead now stands at 151.

Good cricket all around! Starc slips it in sharp and quick, a bumper, over middle. Rickelton thinks about fending this one but then changes his mind as he drops his wrists and arches back to let the ball pass.

Aerial but safe. Starc bangs it in short, around the ribs. Mulder pivots on the back foot and helps the pull away using the pace of the ball. It is in the air for a moment but drops well in front of deep fine leg. Single taken.

On a back of a length, on off. Mulder rises with the bounce and defends it down.

Loopy ball, full and wide on off. Rickelton resists the temptation of going for the drive and offers no shot.

At 89.8 kph, on a good length, on middle. Rickelton gets a good stride in and takes the bottom hand off the bat as he defends.

Shorter and on off. Rickelton taps it to cover.

Shouts of 'catch'! Landing on the rough outside the off stump, on a length. Mulder looks to drop his bat down on the ball. It spins past the inside edge and clips the front pad before dropping to the left of the keeper and dribbling away. They cross for a leg bye.

Full and speared in at the sticks. Rickelton lunges and eases it to long off for a single.

Flighted up, on off, that is defended solidly off the front foot.

Nathan Lyon has been brought into the attack.

Keeps bowling on that back of a length, on the stumps, Mulder knocks it to short cover.

Hard length, angled into the hip, Wiaan tries to ride the bounce but the ball deflects off his thigh pad and rolls behind.