Josh Inglis's Comeback Century Puts Australia 100 Runs Clear at Newlands

Australia were bowled out for 429 in 125.1 overs on day three of the series-deciding third Test against South Africa at Newlands, a 100-run first-innings lead built on Josh Inglis and Alex Carey's overnight stand and sealed when Mitchell Starc struck immediately with the new ball to remove Aiden Markram cheaply as South Africa began their reply.

Inglis completes a comeback century

Resuming on 85 not out, Josh Inglis reached his second Test century off 132 balls with a reverse sweep off Simon Harmer, before falling for 102 off 135 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes, caught behind off the same bowler. It is a significant return for Inglis, who came into the side for the injured Steve Smith after working his way back from a fractured finger.

Carey's 80 extends the stand before Harmer strikes again

Alex Carey carried on from his unbeaten 51 to make 80 off 168 balls, his 14th Test fifty, before he was caught by Markram off Harmer. The pair's fifth-wicket stand, which had started with Australia under pressure at 185 for 4, stretched well past the century mark across the two days and gave Australia the platform for their eventual total.

Harmer the pick of the bowlers, Jansen cleans up the tail

Simon Harmer finished with 4 for 104, comfortably South Africa's most successful bowler in the innings, while Marco Jansen wrapped up the Australian innings by removing Cooper Connolly for 29 to complete the 429 all out.

Starc strikes again as South Africa start their reply

With a 100-run cushion in hand, Australia did not have to wait long for a breakthrough of their own. Mitchell Starc, fresh off his six-wicket haul in South Africa's first innings, had Aiden Markram caught by Travis Head at mid-off for just 1, giving Australia the ideal start to the final session as South Africa began chipping away at the deficit.

Where the series decider stands

The series remains locked at 1-1 after wins apiece in Durban and Gqeberha, but Australia now hold a 100-run lead and an early wicket with two days of this Newlands decider still to play. South Africa, whose first innings of 329 was built on 95 from Marques Ackerman and 78 from Markram himself, now need a substantial recovery from the rest of their batting to avoid Australia pressing home the advantage.

Fantasy angle

Inglis's century confirms him as the standout value pick from either side for as long as this Test continues, with Harmer the clearer wicket-taking option from South Africa's attack given his returns across both innings. Starc remains the bowler to build around for Australia after adding to his first-innings haul with an early second-innings strike.

Follow the decider

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Scores and bowling figures in this article are verified against same-day and freshly re-checked reporting as of October 29, 2026; day three's play was still in progress at the time of writing, and South Africa's second-innings total had not yet been determined.