Australia's batters are determined to turn starts into big scores ahead of Tuesday's third and deciding Test against South Africa in Cape Town. The tourists are yet to pick their line-up after a heavy defeat in Gqeberha, where they were bowled out for 99. Alex Carey admitted the batting group has failed to convert recent starts. South Africa's wicketkeeper Ryan Rickelton said the Proteas will target Marnus Labuschagne's run of starts.
Josh Inglis is in contention to play as a batter in the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, despite recovering from a broken finger. The 31-year-old, Australia's first-choice limited-overs wicketkeeper, has had a stop-start Test career, playing only five of the last 20 Tests. Inglis hopes to replicate Matthew Renshaw's successful middle-order return if selected. He has been adaptable, batting in various positions, and aims to secure a consistent role in the team.
The Wallaroos beat Scotland 38-31 in Canberra on Friday night, completing a three-game sweep of the Scottish side. The hosts led 14-0 early but trailed 17-14 at half-time before regaining control. Retiring centre Cecilia Smith was sent off after receiving two yellow cards, and she embraced her daughter Ruby after the match. Former captain Emily Chancellor signed off with a win in her 42nd Test. The Wallaroos now await the start of a full-time program next year under new coach Sione Fukofuka.
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Emily Chancellor will play her final Test for the Wallaroos against Scotland at Canberra Stadium. The 35-year-old has played 42 Tests and captained the team in 2025. She says she wants young girls to see women's rugby and believe they can take part. Chancellor says the team's future will be limitless once it becomes full-time ahead of the 2029 World Cup, which Australia will host. She plans to keep promoting the team after she retires.
South Africa beat Australia by 31 runs in the second Test in Gqeberha, levelling the series. Travis Head reached a century before he was dismissed for 121, leaving Australia at 5-209. Scott Boland defied the South African attack as nightwatchman for 40 runs, but he was bowled by Wiaan Mulder after tea. Steve Smith was caught for 3, and Mitchell Starc was bowled by Kagiso Rabada. Josh Hazlewood was caught behind to end the innings as the threatened rain never came.
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in Gqeberha, levelling the two-Test series. Australia lost 19 wickets over the final two days at St George's Park. Travis Head scored 121 off 190 balls, the only batter to offer sustained resistance on the final day. Kagiso Rabada took four wickets and Wiaan Mulder took three. The series now moves to the third Test in Cape Town next week.
Travis Head has become the first Australian in 38 years to score a century after being asked to bat again following on. His unbeaten 184 from 431 balls, in a second Test innings, helped Australia avoid defeat against South Africa at St George's Park in Gqeberha. Head reached his milestone with two flicked boundaries off Marco Jansen. Teammate Josh Hazlewood praised Head's ability to change his pace across the innings. Head was dropped on five, on the way to reaching his 13th Test century.
South Africa beat Australia by an innings and 31 runs in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha, levelling the series at 1-1. Travis Head scored 121 and Scott Boland made 40 as the visitors resisted on the final day. Rain delayed the start of play, but Australia's hopes faded once Head and Boland were dismissed. Pat Cummins said the team was well short of its best. The final Test starts on Tuesday at Newlands in Cape Town, with the series on the line.
Australia were bowled out for 99 on day four of the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha and were asked to follow on. At stumps they were 4-156, still trailing by 170 runs. South Africa had earlier declared on 9-425. Australia's first-innings total was their fourth-lowest against South Africa. The result leaves the series at 1-1 before the third Test in Cape Town next week.
Australia trails South Africa by 170 runs with six wickets in hand and one day remaining in the second Test at St George's Park. The team was bowled out for 99 and forced to follow on.
Temba Bavuma scored 179 runs from 334 deliveries on day three of the second Test at Gqeberha, lifting South Africa to 9-425 declared. The innings lasted almost 10 hours across three days and was his highest Test score. A record eighth-wicket stand with Simon Harmer, who made 82, and a 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen shifted the match. Australia ended the day one wicket down after Kagiso Rabada struck early.
South African captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 runs at Gqeberha, batting for more than nine hours to frustrate Australia in the second Test. His innings came after the hosts had slumped to 6-110. Marco Jansen made 85 and Simon Harmer made 82, adding a South African eighth-wicket record of 183 runs with Bavuma's support. Rain had reduced the match's playing time, and the hosts declared their first innings in the twilight. Bavuma's century was his fifth in Tests.
South Africa captain Temba Bavuma reached his first Test century against Australia in the second Test at St George's Park in Gqeberha. He had been batting with the score on 91 not out for several overs when a brass band struck up Elvis Presley's song Can't Help Falling In Love. Bavuma's innings took 226 balls, his slowest Test century, which he said was in line with his plan to be more ruthless. Assistant coach Ashwell Prince praised his decision making, particularly his restraint in leaving deliveries outside off stump.
South Africa has taken control of the second Test against Australia. Captain Temba Bavuma scored 179 on day three, helping his side reach 9-425 declared after starting the day at 5-97. Marco Jansen made 85 and Simon Harmer made 82 as the lower order added crucial runs. Scott Boland took five wickets for Australia, while Mitchell Starc dismissed Bavuma. Australia finished the day at 1-3, with Travis Head and Scott Boland at the crease.
Australia's fast bowlers gained the upper hand on a rain-affected second day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Scott Boland took four wickets for 31 runs as South Africa closed at 5-96. Captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 41 after a fightback with Ryan Rickelton. Matthew Renshaw's reflex catch ended Rickelton's innings on 31 late in the day. Better weather is forecast for the final three days, with hopes of a result on a pitch expected to improve for batting.
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The Brisbane Exhibition Ground is being readied for the Athletes' Village for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics. The venue also launched the career of Sir Donald Bradman. On November 30, 1928, it hosted Queensland's first Test match, an Ashes contest against England. Bradman, aged 20, made 18 and 1 in a match England won by 675 runs. He returned to the ground in 1931 to score his first Test century.
Scott Boland took both Australian wickets on a rain-interrupted first day of the second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. He dismissed Aiden Markram and David Bedingham in consecutive deliveries after the pitch began to move. South African debutant Marques Ackerman was greeted by a family moment after scoring his first run before the rain returned. Play was delayed by two hours, with only 12.2 overs bowled on the day at St George's Park.
Rain has almost entirely washed out the first day of Australia's second Test against South Africa in Gqeberha. Scott Boland struck twice in two balls during a brief spell of play, leaving South Africa at 2-20 after 12.2 overs. Boland was included ahead of spinner Nathan Lyon, giving Australia four seamers on a green pitch. Play stopped again after only a handful of overs following rain. Marques Arkerman will resume on 5 not out alongside captain Temba Bavuma on 4 not out on day two.
Live coverage follows the second Test between Australia and South Africa in Gqeberha, with the full scorecard and wicket replays available through the match centre. Day five is scheduled to begin with a second session from 12pm to 2.30pm, followed by a third session from 2.50pm to 5.45pm. Up to 82 overs may be bowled across the day, with at least 15 overs required in the final hour, subject to light and weather conditions.
Australia's Diamonds narrowly lost 56-50 to New Zealand's Silver Ferns in the opening Constellation Cup netball match, held in Auckland. Despite a late rally, the visitors fell short of victory.