South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test Day 4: Australia 156/4 Following On, Trail by 170
Published on October 21, 2026
Summary Overview: After two rain-hit days, Temba Bavuma's 179 lifted South Africa to 425/9 declared, and Marco Jansen's 5 for 33 bowled Australia out for 99. Following on, Australia are 156/4 at stumps on day 4, still 170 behind.
What's the score? At the end of day 4, Australia are 156 for 4 in their second innings, following on. They still trail South Africa by 170 runs.
How did we get here? After two rain-affected days, Temba Bavuma hit 179 as South Africa declared on 425 for 9. Marco Jansen then took 5 for 33 to bowl Australia out for just 99.
What happens on day 5? South Africa need six wickets to win and level the series 1-1. Australia need to bat through the day to save the match and stay 1-0 up.
When does day 5 start? Thursday, October 22 at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST, 1:00 PM PKT, 4:00 AM ET).
The Story: From Rain Delays to a Day 5 Decider
Australia arrived in Gqeberha 1-0 up after winning the 1st Test in Durban by 214 runs. The first two days at St George's Park were badly affected by rain, and a draw looked likely. Since then, South Africa have taken control.
For readers new to Test cricket: a Test match lasts up to five days, and each team bats twice. If the team batting second finishes 200 or more runs behind in a five-day Test, the other side can make them follow on, which means batting again straight away. To win, South Africa must take all 20 Australian wickets. Australia only need to survive to earn a draw.
South Africa's Innings: Bavuma Rescues His Side
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and chose to bowl, and Scott Boland struck twice in two balls: Aiden Markram was bowled, and David Bedingham was caught behind first ball. When Mitchell Starc removed Matthew Breetzke, South Africa were 40 for 4. Across the rain-shortened opening days, they slipped to 110 for 6.
Captain Temba Bavuma then played one of the great rescue innings. First he added 132 with Marco Jansen, who hit three sixes in a rapid 85 off 100. Then he and spinner Simon Harmer put on 183 for the eighth wicket, with Harmer making a superb 82.
Bavuma batted for 334 balls and hit 18 fours in his 179 before he was caught behind off Starc. South Africa declared straight away on 425 for 9. Boland finished with 5 for 81 from 29 overs.
Australia's First Innings: All Out for 99
Australia's reply fell apart. Kagiso Rabada, back from the hamstring injury that kept him out of the 1st Test, had Nic Maddinson caught for a duck in the first over. Jansen then ripped through the order, including two wickets in three balls to remove Matt Renshaw and Alex Carey at 65.
Steven Smith fought for 88 balls for 28 before Wiaan Mulder bowled him. Australia were all out for 99 in 42.3 overs, 326 runs behind. Jansen took 5 for 33, and Bavuma enforced the follow-on.
Australia's Second Innings: Head Leads the Fightback
Rabada struck early again, removing Maddinson for 8. But Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne (39) added 92 for the second wicket to steady the ship.
Harmer had Labuschagne caught by Jansen, Rabada bowled Renshaw, and Harmer trapped Beau Webster lbw late in the day. Head finishes day 4 on 87 not out, with nightwatchman Boland (2*) alongside him.
Turning Point: The Bavuma and Harmer Stand
At 242 for 7, South Africa had a decent total but not a dominant one. The 183-run eighth-wicket stand between Bavuma and Harmer changed everything. It pushed the total past 400, gave the bowlers a huge cushion, and used up time that Australia might otherwise have used to bat out a draw.
Day 5: What Each Team Needs
South Africa need six wickets. If they bowl Australia out before they pass 326, South Africa win by an innings. If Australia get past 326, South Africa will need to chase a small target, so time could matter.
Australia need to bat the day. With Head set on 87, plus Steven Smith, Alex Carey and Pat Cummins still to come, survival is possible. A draw keeps Australia 1-0 up with one Test left.
| Situation | Figure |
| South Africa 1st innings | 425/9 declared |
| Australia 1st innings | 99 all out |
| Australia 2nd innings (following on) | 156/4 |
| Australia trail by | 170 runs |
| Wickets South Africa need | 6 |
| Overs available on day 5 | About 90 |
Day 5 Start Times
| Day | Date | Local (SAST) | IST | Pakistan | ET | UK | Australia (AEDT) |
| Day 5 | Thu, Oct 22 | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 7:00 PM |
Local time is South Africa Standard Time (SAST, UTC+2). IST is India Standard Time (UTC+5:30). Pakistan is on PKT (UTC+5). ET is US Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-4). UK is British Summer Time (UTC+1). Australian Eastern Daylight Time is UTC+11.
Stat Corner
Top Performers
| Player | Team | Performance |
| Temba Bavuma (c) | South Africa | 179 (334), 18 fours, 1 six |
| Marco Jansen | South Africa | 85 (100) and 5 for 33 |
| Simon Harmer | South Africa | 82 (157) and 2 for 47 |
| Kagiso Rabada | South Africa | 2 for 33 and 2 for 30 |
| Wiaan Mulder | South Africa | 2 for 14 (9.3 overs) |
| Scott Boland | Australia | 5 for 81 (29 overs) |
| Mitchell Starc | Australia | 3 for 89 |
| Travis Head | Australia | 87* (138), 9 fours (2nd innings) |
| Marnus Labuschagne | Australia | 14 and 39 |
| Steven Smith | Australia | 28 (88), top score in the 1st innings |
* not out
How the Match Turned
| Moment | Score |
| Boland's double strike | South Africa 12 for 2 |
| Top order in trouble | South Africa 110 for 6 |
| Bavuma and Jansen stand | 132 for the 7th wicket |
| Bavuma and Harmer stand | 183 for the 8th wicket |
| South Africa declare | 425 for 9 |
| Rabada's first-over strike | Australia 0 for 1 |
| Jansen's two in three balls | 65 for 4 to 65 for 6 |
| Australia all out | 99 (42.3 overs) |
| Follow-on fightback | Head and Labuschagne add 92 |
| Stumps, day 4 | Australia 156 for 4, trail by 170 |
Playing XIs
| Team | Playing XI |
| South Africa | Aiden Markram, Marques Ackerman, David Bedingham, Temba Bavuma (c), Matthew Breetzke, Ryan Rickelton (wk), Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Simon Harmer, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje |
| Australia | Nic Maddinson, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Matt Renshaw, Alex Carey (wk), Beau Webster, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland |
Australia left out spinner Nathan Lyon, who was on the bench. South Africa brought back Kagiso Rabada after injury.
What's Next
| Match | Dates | Venue | Local (SAST) | IST | Pakistan | ET |
| 3rd Test | Tue, Oct 27 to Sat, Oct 31 | Newlands, Cape Town | 10:00 AM | 1:30 PM | 1:00 PM | 4:00 AM |
If South Africa win on day 5, the series goes to Cape Town level at 1-1. If Australia hold on, they go there 1-0 up and cannot lose the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the score in the South Africa vs Australia 2nd Test?
- At stumps on day 4, Australia are 156 for 4 following on, still 170 behind South Africa's 425 for 9 declared.
Why did Australia follow on?
- They were bowled out for 99, which left them 326 runs behind, more than the 200 needed for the follow-on.
Who scored a century?
- Temba Bavuma, with 179 off 334 balls.
Who took five wickets?
- Marco Jansen (5 for 33) for South Africa and Scott Boland (5 for 81) for Australia.
When does day 5 start?
- Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 10:00 AM local time (1:30 PM IST, 1:00 PM PKT, 4:00 AM ET).